Tragedy Deepens as Indonesian School Collapse Fatalities 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 still looking for over twelve missing individuals.
Hundreds pupils, primarily adolescent males, had assembled for prayers at the religious educational institution in East Java when the structure gave way while undergoing construction.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the nation's deadliest catastrophe this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for 13 victims ensnared beneath the rubble by evening.
Probe Underway into Collapse Cause
Investigators are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation.
"Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference.
The total count encompasses at least two people who were extracted from the debris but later died in medical care.
School Background and Regulatory Concerns
The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.
Many Islamic schools function informally, without comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake additional construction.
Operational Difficulties
Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the building fell, creating tight spaces for rescuers to operate within, officials stated last week.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors have recounted their terrifying survival stories with regional news outlets.
One teenage eyewitness described first "noticing the noise of collapsing materials", which "grew louder and more intense".
The young person immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by falling debris from the ceiling.
