🔗 Share this article Catastrophe Deepens as Indonesian Educational Institution Collapse Fatalities Increases to 54 News Agency Hundreds teenage boys 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 collapse of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, as confirmed by officials, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons. Numerous pupils, mostly teenage boys, had assembled for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's most fatal catastrophe this year. Rescue personnel are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by evening. Investigation Ongoing into Structural Failure Investigators are still examining the cause behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation. "Among all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the emergency management authority during a press conference. The overall number encompasses at least two people who were extracted from the rubble but later succumbed in hospital. School Background and Regulatory Concerns The institution is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren. Numerous pesantren operate without formal oversight, without comprehensive oversight or consistent monitoring. It remains unclear whether the institution had necessary permits to undertake building modifications. Operational Difficulties Search and rescue operations have faced difficulties due to the way the structure fell, leaving only narrow voids for rescuers to maneuver within, authorities stated previously. Eyewitness Reports Those who escaped have recounted their terrifying survival stories with regional news outlets. One teenage survivor described first "hearing the sound of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense". The adolescent quickly rushed for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by collapsing materials from the roof.