SIDOARJO: The death toll from the collapse of a prayer hall at a boarding school in Indonesia rose to 45 after rescuers recovered more than two dozen bodies over the weekend. Teams continue to search for at least 18 students still missing beneath the debris.
Rescue workers, using jackhammers, circular saws, and even their bare hands, have been sifting through the rubble since the building crumbled on Tuesday. Authorities said operations are being hampered by unstable debris and heavy rain.
Police investigations revealed that two additional floors were being built illegally atop the existing two-storey structure, which led to a catastrophic structural failure.
“The construction couldn’t support the load while the concrete was being poured for the third floor,” said construction expert Mudji Irmawan, adding that the collapse was the result of poor oversight and unauthorized expansion.
Officials have ordered a review of other school and dormitory buildings in the area to prevent similar tragedies.
