Jakarta: The death toll from the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, has risen to 60 after search and rescue teams recovered 11 more bodies on Monday, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said.
The victims were found under the rubble between midnight and 6:15 pm local time, BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari told Xinhua News Agency. Three people remain missing, based on the school’s attendance list. In addition to intact bodies, five body parts were recovered. All remains have been taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya for identification.
BNPB reported that 104 people are receiving treatment, with four discharged, 99 still hospitalised, and one not requiring care.
Rescue operations are ongoing in sectors A1 and A2, where collapsed concrete still covers older structures. Authorities are carefully removing debris to prevent further damage to nearby buildings.
The school building collapsed on September 29, trapping dozens of students. Initially, rescuers relied on manual methods due to fears that heavy machinery could trigger additional collapses. On October 2, they began using machinery after no further signs of life were detected. Officials noted that movement in one section could destabilise others, making operations challenging.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing, with early findings pointing to poor construction practices as a contributing factor. Subandi, Sidoarjo’s district head, confirmed earlier police statements that the school’s management had not obtained the required construction permits.
According to Indonesia’s 2002 Building Construction Code, permits must be secured from authorities before any construction. Violations can result in fines or imprisonment, and if fatalities occur, penalties can include up to 15 years in prison and fines up to 8 billion rupiah (around USD 500,000).
With IANS inputs