Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Rises to 54

News Agency

The death count from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve missing individuals.

Hundreds pupils, mostly adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's most fatal disaster in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their search operation for 13 victims trapped under debris by day's end.

Probe Underway into Structural Failure

Investigators are still examining the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation.

"Among all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference.

The overall number encompasses at least two people who were rescued from the debris but later died in medical care.

Institutional Context and Oversight Issues

The facility is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.

Many Islamic schools operate without formal oversight, lacking comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the school had proper authorization to undertake additional construction.

Operational Difficulties

Emergency response efforts have proven challenging due to the way the structure collapsed, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities stated previously.

Survivor Accounts

Those who escaped have recounted their harrowing survival stories with regional news outlets.

One teenage survivor recalled first "noticing the noise of collapsing materials", which "intensified and louder".

The young person quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.