đŸ”— Share this article Catastrophe Deepens as Indonesian School Collapse Death Toll Increases to 54 News Agency Hundreds teenage boys had assembled for religious observances at the religious educational institution in Eastern Java when it collapsed recently The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve missing individuals. Hundreds pupils, primarily teenage boys, had gathered for religious services at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the building collapsed while being renovated. The country's emergency management authority describes this as the country's deadliest disaster in 2025. Rescue personnel are anticipated to complete their search operation for thirteen individuals ensnared under debris by evening. Probe Ongoing into Structural Failure Authorities are continuing to probe the reason behind the collapse. Certain authorities suggested the two-storey building collapsed due to an inadequate base. "Out of all the catastrophes in 2025, natural or not, there has not occurred as many dead victims as the incident in Sidoarjo," declared a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference. The total count encompasses at least two people who were rescued from the rubble but subsequently succumbed in medical care. School Background and Oversight Issues The facility is a conventional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren. Many Islamic schools function informally, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the institution had proper authorization to undertake building modifications. Rescue Challenges Search and rescue operations have proven challenging due to the way the building fell, leaving only tight spaces for emergency personnel to maneuver within, authorities reported previously. Survivor Accounts Survivors have recounted their terrifying escape experiences with regional news outlets. One 13-year-old eyewitness described first "hearing the noise of collapsing materials", which "intensified and louder". The young person immediately ran for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was injured by falling debris from the ceiling.