Khaberni - The death toll from the collapse of a school at the beginning of the week in Indonesia has risen to 17, according to Yudhi Bramantio, the operations director at the national disaster management agency on Saturday, while about fifty people are still missing.
A part of the multi-story boarding school on the island of Java suddenly collapsed on Monday during a student gathering for the Asr prayer.
Rescue workers retrieved two bodies and part of a body on Saturday, raising the death toll to 17, according to the operations director.
He added that "search operations are still ongoing."
The director of the local search and rescue agency Nananang Sijit confirmed the toll.
Rescue workers were continuing to search for 49 missing persons, according to Suhariantio, director of the national disaster management agency, before these bodies were recovered.
He added that the number of victims is likely to rise as rescuers began using machinery like cranes to remove the rubble.
Rescue operation officials explained on Thursday that they had not detected any signs of survivors, which may mean that the death toll could increase significantly.
The families of the missing agreed on Thursday to use heavy machinery after 72 hours had passed since the disaster, which is usually the maximum survival time.
The rescue operations are challenging because disturbances at a specific location may affect other parts of the building, according to officials.
An investigation into the causes of the building collapse on Monday afternoon was initiated.
Preliminary information indicates structural problems and a failure to adhere to proper building standards, according to experts.
