Tragedy Worsens as Indonesian School Structural Failure Death Toll Increases to 54
News Agency
The death count from the collapse of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams continuing their search for over twelve missing individuals.
Hundreds pupils, mostly teenage boys, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in East Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated.
The country's emergency management authority describes this as the nation's deadliest disaster this year. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their rescue mission for thirteen individuals trapped under debris by day's end.
Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause
Authorities are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Some officials indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an inadequate base.
"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference.
The total count includes at least two people who were rescued from the rubble but later died in medical care.
School Background and Regulatory Concerns
The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Numerous Islamic schools operate informally, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake additional construction.
Rescue Challenges
Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure collapsed, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to operate within, authorities reported previously.
Eyewitness Reports
Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with local media.
One teenage survivor recalled first "noticing the noise of falling rocks", which "intensified and louder".
The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.
