The death toll from a school collapse in Indonesia has risen to 14 as of Saturday, officials reported, with rescuers preparing to deploy heavy machinery to recover dozens more victims believed to remain trapped under the rubble.
The incident occurred on Monday, when part of the multi-storey boarding school suddenly collapsed as students gathered for afternoon prayers.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto told reporters that nine bodies were found on Friday, bringing the total confirmed fatalities to 14.
“As of today, we are still searching for 49 people who are missing,” Suharyanto, who goes by one name, told Kompas TV on Saturday.
Officials said more victims could be discovered as rescuers began using heavy equipment to clear areas where survivors were believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
“After the last victim was found last night, we are focusing on a massive cleanup, with heavy machinery entering the collapsed areas,” Suharyanto said.
The rescue operation has been extremely complex:
- Vibrations in one area could destabilise other sections of the collapsed structure.
- Families initially hesitated to allow heavy machinery, but consented after the 72-hour “golden period”—the window with the highest chance of survival—had passed.
- A minor earthquake on Tuesday night briefly halted the search and complicated recovery efforts.
Investigators are examining the reasons behind the collapse. Experts suspect substandard construction as a possible factor, though official investigations are ongoing.
Residents reported that the collapse was so violent that it sent tremors across the surrounding neighbourhood, highlighting the severity of the incident.
