Death toll from Indonesia school collapse rises to 14 as more victims found

"National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto told reporters on Saturday that rescuers found nine bodies on Friday, raising the death toll to 14. As of today, we are still searching for 49 people who are still missing, said Suharyanto, who goes by one name, as reported by broadcaster Kompas TV. More victims could be found, Suharyanto said, as rescuers moved to use heavy machinery to clear locations where the victims were believed to be buried underneath the rubble."

"After the last victim was found last night, we are focusing on a massive cleanup, with heavy equipment entering the collapsed areas, he said. Suharyanto said victim identification had been complicated by the fact that most of the victims were under 18 and did not have government identity cards or fingerprint records. Some of the bodies were too badly damaged to be recognised visually, he said."

"The total number of victims recorded is 167, of which 104 have been found and are safe, said Abdul Muhari, head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre at the BNPB. Fourteen survivors are receiving hospital treatment, while 89 have been discharged. One has been transferred to another hospital, added Muhari. The school collapse was so violent that it sent tremors across the neighbourhood, according to residents."

The Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java collapsed, killing 14 people and leaving 49 missing. Hundreds of students, mostly teenage boys, were inside; initial collapse killed at least five and injured about 100. Rescuers found nine bodies on Friday and moved heavy machinery to clear rubble and search. Identification has been complicated because most victims are under 18 and lack identity cards or fingerprint records; some bodies are too badly damaged for visual recognition. The total number of victims recorded is 167, with 104 found and safe, 14 receiving hospital treatment, 89 discharged, and one transferred. Initial signs point to substandard construction.

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