The death toll from the Indonesian school building collapse rose to 14 on Saturday, with dozens still missing as rescuers search under the rubble while hapless parents look on.
The rescue operation has become more complex over the days since the September 30 collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school. The use of heavy machinery and cutting tools may pose additional risk to the search and rescue operations and jeopardise the lives of survivors.
The multi-storey building had collapsed during afternoon prayers on Monday, with experts citing possible substandard construction being the cause for the collapse.
The country’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief, Suharyanto, said rescuers had found nine bodies on Friday, raising the toll to 14.
“As of today, we are still searching for 49 people who are still missing,” he said.
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There is a possibility that more victims could be found, he said, adding that rescuers have now moved in machinery to clear the debris where the victims are believed to be buried underneath the rubble.
“After the last victim was found last night, we are focusing on a massive clean-up, with heavy equipment entering the collapsed areas,” he said.
The building’s collapse has caused shockwaves in the country, according to local sources.
While investigators have begun searching for the possible causes of the collapse, accounts of those familiar with the administration’s construction plans indicate towards unauthorised expansion plans and use of substandard and poor construction material.
The families of the missing gave their consent on Thursday for the use of heavy equipment, after the 72-hour ‘golden period’ for the best chance of survival came to an end.
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