Death toll in Indonesian school collapse rises to at least 60

More bodies have been discovered by rescuers in Indonesia after a collapsed school, causing at least 60 deaths.

A week after students at the Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school in East Java province’s boys, who were mostly boys between the ages of 12 and 19, performed afternoon prayers, the authorities revised the fatalities count on Monday.

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When the multi-story building collapsed, hundreds of other students suffered injuries.

Orange body bags were being carried away from the school, according to footage released by the Indonesian search-and-rescue agency on Monday.

According to Mohammad Syafii, the agency’s director, the death toll has increased to 65, according to Reuters news agency. The number is closer to 60, according to other sources, though.

Syafii added that the operation would continue until rescuers “sure that no victims are left.”

The national search-and-rescue agency’s operations director, Yudhi Bramantyo, stated at a press conference on Monday that the search for more victims was almost over.

“We hope we can conclude the recovery today, and we will bring the bodies [to the families],” Bramantyo said.

The country’s worst disaster so far this year is thought to be the result of the collapse.

The building’s foundations were weak enough to support construction work on the upper floors, according to authorities.

A pesantren or religious boarding school, Al-Khoziny is what it is known as. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, it is one of approximately 42, 000 students serving the country’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, who was quoted by local media as saying that only 50 of these Islamic schools have permits, was quoted as saying on Sunday.