🔗 Share this article Catastrophe Worsens as Indonesian Educational Institution Structural Failure Fatalities Rises to 54 Media Source Numerous teenage boys had assembled 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, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons. Numerous students, primarily teenage boys, had assembled for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the building gave way while undergoing construction. The country's emergency management authority characterizes this as the nation's deadliest catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are anticipated to conclude their rescue mission for 13 victims trapped under debris by evening. Investigation Underway into Collapse Cause Investigators are continuing to probe the cause behind the structural failure. Some officials indicated the two-storey building collapsed due to an unstable foundation. "Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as numerous fatalities as the incident in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the emergency management authority during a media briefing. The total count encompasses at least two individuals who were extracted from the debris but later succumbed in medical care. School Background and Oversight Issues The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren. Numerous pesantren operate informally, without comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains uncertain whether the school had proper authorization to undertake building modifications. Rescue Challenges Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the way the structure fell, creating tight spaces for emergency personnel to operate within, authorities reported last week. Survivor Accounts Those who escaped have recounted their harrowing escape experiences with local media. One teenage eyewitness recalled first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "intensified and louder". The young person immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by collapsing materials from the roof.