🔗 Share this article Tragedy Worsens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54 News Agency Numerous adolescent males had gathered for religious observances at the Islamic boarding school in East Java when it gave way last Monday 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 more than a dozen unaccounted persons. Hundreds pupils, primarily teenage boys, had assembled for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the building collapsed while undergoing construction. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's deadliest disaster this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to conclude their rescue mission for 13 victims ensnared beneath the rubble by day's end. Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause Authorities are continuing to probe the cause behind the collapse. Some officials suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation. "Out of all the disasters in 2025, natural or not, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a media briefing. The overall number includes at least two individuals who were extracted from the rubble but later succumbed in medical care. Institutional Context and Oversight Issues The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren. Numerous pesantren operate without formal oversight, without comprehensive oversight or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the institution had necessary permits to conduct additional construction. Operational Difficulties Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the way the building fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to maneuver within, officials stated previously. Survivor Accounts Survivors have recounted their terrifying survival stories with regional news outlets. One 13-year-old eyewitness recalled first "hearing the noise of falling rocks", which "grew louder and more intense". The young person quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.