Death toll from Indonesian school collapse rises to 54

Addis Ababa, October 6, 2025 (FMC) — The death toll from the collapse of a school in Indonesia has risen to 54, authorities confirmed on Monday, with rescuers continuing to search for 13 people still missing.

The tragedy struck Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java last Monday, as hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, had gathered for prayers. The school was undergoing construction when the building suddenly caved in.

Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency described the incident as the country’s deadliest disaster of the year, noting that rescue teams expected to complete their search for the remaining victims by the end of the day.

Preliminary investigations suggest the collapse was due to unstable foundations under the two-storey structure. Officials reported that the total toll includes at least two people who were rescued but later died in hospital.

Al Khoziny is a traditional pesantren, or Islamic boarding school. Many such schools in Indonesia operate informally, without strict regulation or consistent monitoring. According to BBC News, it remains unclear whether Al Khoziny had obtained a permit for the recent construction.

Rescue operations have been particularly challenging because the collapse left only narrow voids for crews to maneuver through. Survivors have described harrowing escapes. Thirteen-year-old Muhammad Rijalul Qoib told local media he first “heard the sound of falling rocks,” which grew louder, forcing him to run for the door. He survived but sustained injuries from falling debris.

Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the disaster, while efforts to improve monitoring and safety standards at Islamic boarding schools remain a priority.