Tragedy Worsens as Indonesian Educational Institution Structural Failure Death Toll Increases to 54
Media Source
The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.
Hundreds pupils, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for religious services at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when the structure gave way while undergoing construction.
The country's emergency management authority characterizes this as the nation's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for 13 victims ensnared under debris by evening.
Probe Underway into Structural Failure
Investigators are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Certain authorities indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an inadequate base.
"Out of all the disasters in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference.
The total count includes at least two people who were extracted from the rubble but later succumbed in medical care.
School Background and Oversight Issues
The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren.
Numerous Islamic schools function informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the school had proper authorization to undertake building modifications.
Operational Difficulties
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the building collapsed, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities reported last week.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have recounted their terrifying survival stories with local media.
One teenage survivor recalled first "noticing the sound of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by falling debris from the roof.