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Indonesian first responders recovered numerous more remains over the weekend, increasing the confirmed death toll to 49 after a worship space at an Muslim educational institution fell down last week.

Focused Rescue Operations Ongoing

Employing large machinery equipped with jackhammers, circular saws and occasionally their own hands, emergency personnel extracted tons of debris in a desperate effort to find the 14 students said to be still unaccounted for. Emergency workers discovered 35 victims over the weekend alone, according to the national emergency authority.

Sequence of the Heartbreaking Event

The building fell on top of scores of pupils – primarily boys aged 12 to 19 – on 29 September at the 100-year-old educational institution in East Java. Of those rescued, 97 were cared for for multiple injuries and discharged. Six others experienced serious trauma and continued to be hospitalised on Sunday.

Origin of Collapse Revealed

Authorities state that two levels were being constructed to the existing building in the absence of a official authorization, causing catastrophic failure. This has triggered extensive outrage over unauthorized building in the country.

“The structural work was unable to bear the weight while the building material was being placed [to build] the new story because it didn't meet construction codes and the entire 800-square-metres structure caved in,” said a structural engineer from a local technical institute.

The specialist also said that pupils must not have been given access inside a facility undergoing construction.

Administrative Statement

The local district head verified the school's management had not sought the required authorization before starting building work.

“Many constructions, including traditional school additions, in non-urban areas were built lacking a construction license,” the authority stated.

Legal Ramifications

The country's 2002 building construction code specify that authorizations have to be issued by the competent officials before any construction, or else owners risk monetary sanctions and jail time. If a infraction causes fatalities, this can culminate in up to 15 years in jail and a fine of up to 8bn local currency (nearly $500,000).

Statement from Institution Leadership

The school's caretaker, a respected Islamic cleric in the region, delivered a public apology in a unusual address a day after the incident.

“This is truly a test from God so we must all be steadfast, and may God compensate with blessings, with an outcome much better,” he said. “We must be certain that God will reward those impacted by this incident with significant blessings.”

Continuing Probe

Judicial investigations concerning religious leaders continue to be sensitive in the largest Muslim-majority nation.

There has been silence from institution administrators since the collapse.

“We will examine this matter in detail,” East Java's top law enforcement officer said on Sunday.

“Our probe also requires guidance from a team of construction experts to ascertain whether failure by the facility caused the fatalities.”