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The number of fatalities from the collapse of an Indonesian school has escalated to 54, according to authorities, with rescue teams still looking for over twelve unaccounted persons.

Numerous students, mostly adolescent males, had gathered for prayers at the Islamic boarding school in Eastern Java when the structure collapsed while undergoing construction.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency describes this as the country's most fatal disaster in 2025. Rescue personnel are anticipated to complete their rescue mission for 13 victims trapped under debris by day's end.

Investigation Ongoing into Collapse Cause

Investigators are still examining the cause behind the structural failure. Some officials suggested the two-storey building caved in due to an unstable foundation.

"Among 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 emergency management authority during a media briefing.

The total count includes at least two people who were rescued from the debris but subsequently died in medical care.

School Background and Oversight Issues

The facility is a traditional religious educational center in Indonesia, referred to as a pesantren.

Many pesantren operate informally, without strong regulation or regular inspections. It remains uncertain whether the school had necessary permits to undertake additional construction.

Operational Difficulties

Emergency response efforts have faced difficulties due to the manner the structure fell, leaving only tight spaces for rescuers to operate within, officials stated previously.

Eyewitness Reports

Survivors have shared their harrowing escape experiences with regional news outlets.

One teenage eyewitness described first "hearing the sound of falling rocks", which "intensified and louder".

The young person quickly rushed for the exit, and while he managed to escape, he was wounded by falling debris from the ceiling.