🔗 Share this article Catastrophe Worsens as Indonesia Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Rises to 54 Media Source Hundreds adolescent males had gathered for religious observances at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when it gave way last Monday The number of fatalities from the structural failure of an educational facility in Indonesia has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with rescue teams still looking for more than a dozen missing individuals. Numerous pupils, primarily adolescent males, had assembled for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure gave way while being renovated. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's deadliest disaster in 2025. Rescue personnel are expected to conclude their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared under debris by day's end. Investigation Ongoing into Collapse Cause Authorities are still examining the reason behind the collapse. Some officials indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation. "Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference. The total count includes at least two people who were rescued from the debris but later succumbed in medical care. Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren. Many Islamic schools function without formal oversight, lacking strong regulation or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct building modifications. Operational Difficulties Emergency response efforts have proven challenging due to the way the structure fell, creating narrow voids for emergency personnel to operate within, officials reported last week. Survivor Accounts Those who escaped have recounted their harrowing escape experiences with local media. One 13-year-old survivor described first "noticing the sound of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense". The young person quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the ceiling.