Catastrophe Deepens as Indonesia School Structural Failure Death Toll Rises to 54
News Agency
The death count from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders still looking for more than a dozen unaccounted persons.
Numerous pupils, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for religious services at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the building collapsed while being renovated.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's deadliest catastrophe in 2025. Rescue personnel are expected to complete their rescue mission for thirteen individuals trapped under debris by day's end.
Probe Ongoing into Structural Failure
Investigators are continuing to probe the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities indicated the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a representative from the emergency management authority during a media briefing.
The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were extracted from the rubble but later died in medical care.
Institutional Context and Oversight Issues
The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous pesantren operate without formal oversight, lacking comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the institution had necessary permits to conduct building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the way the building collapsed, leaving only tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials reported previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets.
One 13-year-old eyewitness recalled first "hearing the noise of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he successfully got out, he was wounded by falling debris from the roof.
