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Indonesian emergency crews located numerous additional remains over the past few days, increasing the official fatality count to 49 after a worship space at an Muslim educational institution collapsed last week.

Relentless Search and Rescue Underway

Using large machinery outfitted with demolition tools, cutting tools and at times their bare hands, rescue teams extracted large quantities of rubble in a desperate effort to locate the 14 students said to be still missing. Rescuers discovered 35 victims over the recent period alone, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Timeline of the Heartbreaking Event

The structure collapsed on top of scores of pupils – primarily young men between the ages of 12 to 19 – on 29 September at the historic boarding school in East Java. Of those extracted, 97 were medically attended for multiple trauma and discharged. Six others experienced serious wounds and continued to be under medical care on Sunday.

Cause of Structural Failure Revealed

Law enforcement allege that additional floors were being added to the existing structure lacking a construction license, resulting in building collapse. This has triggered extensive outrage over unauthorized building in Indonesia.

“The structural work couldn't support the load while the concrete was being poured [to build] the new story because it violated construction codes and the complete 800-square-metres building caved in,” explained a building specialist from Tenth November Institute of Technology.

The professional also noted that scholars must not have been given access inside a building undergoing construction.

Official Reaction

Sidoarjo district's chief confirmed the school's management had not sought the required authorization before initiating construction.

“Numerous buildings, such as conventional educational institution extensions, in countryside locations were built lacking a construction license,” the official stated.

Regulatory Ramifications

The nation's building safety laws specify that permits have to be provided by the relevant authorities in advance of any construction project, or else proprietors risk fines and imprisonment. If a breach results in death, this can culminate in up to 15 years in incarceration and a fine of up to 8bn local currency (nearly $500,000).

Apology from Facility Management

The institution's manager, a well-known religious leader in the region, offered a public apology in a infrequent address a day after the collapse.

“This is truly divine destiny so we must all be patient, and may God substitute it with something better, with something far superior,” he stated. “We must be assured that God will bless those impacted by this incident with great blessings.”

Ongoing Investigation

Legal probes involving Muslim clerics continue to be delicate in the largest predominantly Muslim country.

There has been silence from facility management since the incident.

“We will examine this case comprehensively,” regional top law enforcement officer said on Sunday.

“Our inquiry also demands guidance from a team of construction experts to determine whether negligence by the facility led to the loss of life.”