🔗 Share this article Tragedy Deepens as Indonesia School Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54 Media Source Numerous adolescent males had assembled for religious observances at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when it gave way recently The death count from the structural failure of an Indonesian school has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with rescue teams continuing their search for more than a dozen unaccounted persons. Hundreds pupils, mostly teenage boys, had gathered for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when the building collapsed while undergoing construction. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the nation's most fatal disaster this year. Emergency workers are anticipated to complete their search operation for 13 victims ensnared under debris by evening. Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause Authorities are still examining the reason behind the structural failure. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an unstable foundation. "Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing. The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were extracted from the debris but subsequently succumbed in medical care. Institutional Context and Oversight Issues The institution is a conventional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren. Many pesantren operate informally, lacking comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the institution had proper authorization to undertake additional construction. Rescue Challenges Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure fell, creating narrow voids for rescuers to operate within, officials stated previously. Survivor Accounts Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets. One teenage survivor recalled first "hearing the sound of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense". The adolescent quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.