Poonam Nath

Indonesia school collapse: Over 90 people believed to be buried under rubble

Digital Desk: Following the collapse of a school in Indonesia, government officials reported that at least 91 people were still buried beneath building debris.

After estimating 38 individuals earlier in the day, Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Management, or BNPB, released the most recent numbers on Tuesday night.

According to the agency, at least six people who have been buried beneath the debris for almost two days are still alive.

In a statement posted on Facebook, BNPB stated that "rescue efforts are currently being carried out manually by digging holes and openings to evacuate survivors," adding that the use of heavy machinery could cause additional collapse.

Officially, three people have died and almost 100 have been injured in the school collapse; however, the numbers do not include those who are still trapped.

According to the agency, 26 people are still in the hospital and 70 have been released.

The Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, collapsed on Monday afternoon while students and staff—mostly teenage boys—were attending prayers. More than 300 rescue personnel from the BNPB, the military, and the national police have been sent to the scene.

"The next phase will involve the use of heavy equipment to recover deceased victims who are still trapped if the assessment concludes there are no more survivors," the agency stated.

According to authorities, the school's foundational pillars collapsed due to illegal construction taking place on a higher floor.