Indonesia School Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 63 Amid Rescue Efforts

The death toll from the collapse of an Indonesian school has risen to 63, officials confirmed on Monday, as rescue teams continued to recover bodies from the rubble of the multi-storey Islamic boarding school on Java Island.

The tragedy occurred last week while over 150 students were gathered for afternoon prayers, leaving several others unaccounted for.

“We hope we can conclude the recovery today (Monday), and we will return the bodies to the families,” said Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), during a press briefing.

Budi Irawan, deputy head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), described the collapse as the country’s deadliest disaster of 2025 so far.

Investigators are examining the cause of the collapse, with early indications pointing to substandard construction as a likely factor, according to experts.

Families of the missing had agreed last Thursday to allow the use of heavy machinery after the 72-hour “golden period” for the highest chance of survival had passed.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over building safety in Indonesia, where lax construction standards have previously led to fatal accidents. In September, at least three people died and dozens were injured when a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java.