Tragedy Worsens as Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Rises to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with rescue teams still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Numerous students, primarily teenage boys, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the nation's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Rescue personnel are anticipated to conclude their search operation for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by evening.
Investigation Ongoing into Structural Failure
Authorities are still examining the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities indicated the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base.
"Out of all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing.
The total count encompasses at least two people who were extracted from the rubble but later died in medical care.
School Background and Regulatory Concerns
The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Many Islamic schools function without formal oversight, without strong regulation or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the school had necessary permits to undertake building modifications.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the building collapsed, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to operate within, officials reported previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have recounted their terrifying survival stories with local media.
One teenage eyewitness described first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense".
The adolescent quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the roof.
