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Indonesian emergency crews found numerous additional bodies over the recent period, raising the total fatality count to 49 after a worship space at an Islamic boarding school collapsed last week.

Intensive Emergency Efforts In Progress

Utilizing construction equipment equipped with demolition tools, circular saws and at times their unprotected hands, rescue teams extracted massive amounts of rubble in a desperate attempt to locate the 14 pupils allegedly still lost. Rescuers found 35 remains over the weekend alone, according to the government disaster agency.

Chronology of the Heartbreaking Event

The structure crashed down on top of numerous of scholars – primarily young men between the ages of 12 to 19 – on 29 September at the century-old educational institution in Sidoarjo. Of those extracted, 97 were treated for different wounds and released. Six others suffered serious injuries and continued to be under medical care on Sunday.

Reason of Collapse Uncovered

Law enforcement state that extra stories were being constructed to the two-story facility in the absence of a permit, leading to building collapse. This has sparked extensive outrage over unpermitted construction in the country.

“The construction was unable to bear the pressure while the concrete was being poured [to build] the new story because it failed to meet construction codes and the complete 800-square-metres structure caved in,” said a structural engineer from a local technical institute.

The expert also commented that scholars ought not to have been permitted inside a building being built.

Administrative Response

Sidoarjo district's chief verified the institution's administration had not applied for the necessary authorization before commencing building work.

“Various buildings, among them conventional boarding school additions, in rural regions were built without a permit,” the official commented.

Regulatory Ramifications

The country's building safety laws state that authorizations have to be granted by the competent officials before any building work, or else proprietors confront monetary sanctions and jail time. If a breach results in loss of life, this can result in up to 15 years in prison and a monetary sanction of up to 8bn rupiah (nearly $500,000).

Address from Institution Management

The institution's manager, a respected Muslim scholar in the region, issued a official statement in a infrequent address a day after the incident.

“This is truly God's will so we must all be patient, and may God compensate with goodness, with an outcome far superior,” he stated. “We must be confident that God will reward those touched by this event with significant rewards.”

Continuing Inquiry

Criminal investigations involving religious leaders are still contentious in the biggest Islamic country.

There has been silence from institution administrators since the tragedy.

“We will examine this matter thoroughly,” the province's police chief stated on Sunday.

“Our probe also needs input from a team of construction experts to ascertain whether failure by the facility resulted in the fatalities.”