ð Share this article Tragedy Deepens as Indonesia Educational Institution Structural Failure Death Toll Rises to 54 Media Source Numerous teenage boys had assembled for religious observances at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when it gave way recently The death count from the collapse of an educational facility in Indonesia has climbed to 54, according to authorities, with emergency responders continuing their search for over twelve unaccounted persons. Hundreds pupils, primarily adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while being renovated. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency characterizes this as the country's most fatal catastrophe in 2025. Emergency workers are expected to complete their search operation for 13 victims trapped beneath the rubble by day's end. Probe Ongoing into Collapse Cause Authorities are still examining the cause behind the structural failure. Some officials suggested the two-level structure collapsed due to an unstable foundation. "Out of all the disasters in 2025, whether natural or man-made, there hasn't been as many dead victims as the ones in Sidoarjo," stated a deputy from the disaster mitigation agency during a press conference. The total count includes at least two people who were rescued from the debris but later died in medical care. Institutional Context and Regulatory Concerns The institution is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, commonly known as a pesantren. Numerous pesantren function without formal oversight, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains unclear whether the institution had proper authorization to conduct additional construction. Rescue Challenges Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure collapsed, leaving only tight spaces for rescuers to operate within, officials stated previously. Eyewitness Reports Survivors have recounted their terrifying survival stories with local media. One 13-year-old survivor recalled first "noticing the noise of collapsing materials", which "intensified and more intense". The young person immediately ran for the doorway, and while he successfully got out, he was injured by falling debris from the ceiling.