🔗 Share this article Tragedy Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54 News Agency Numerous teenage boys had gathered for prayers at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when it gave way recently The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with rescue teams still looking for more than a dozen missing individuals. Hundreds pupils, primarily teenage boys, had assembled for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated. The country's emergency management authority describes this as the country's most fatal disaster in 2025. Emergency workers are expected to complete their search operation for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by day's end. Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause Investigators are still examining the reason behind the collapse. Some officials suggested the two-level structure caved in due to an inadequate base. "Among all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference. The overall number encompasses at least two individuals who were rescued from the debris but later succumbed in medical care. Institutional Context and Oversight Issues The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren. Many Islamic schools operate without formal oversight, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct additional construction. Rescue Challenges Search and rescue operations have proven challenging due to the manner the structure collapsed, creating narrow voids for rescuers to maneuver within, officials stated last week. Eyewitness Reports Survivors have shared their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets. One 13-year-old survivor described first "noticing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense". The adolescent immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by falling debris from the roof.