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Indonesia's first responders found dozens additional victims over the weekend, bringing the official death toll to 49 after a religious building at an religious school fell down last week.

Intensive Emergency Efforts Underway

Utilizing construction equipment outfitted with breaking equipment, saws and occasionally their own hands, rescue teams removed tons of rubble in a urgent attempt to locate the 14 scholars allegedly still unaccounted for. Rescuers discovered 35 bodies over the past few days alone, according to the national emergency authority.

Chronology of the Heartbreaking Collapse

The building collapsed on top of scores of pupils – mostly boys ranging from 12 to 19 – on 29 September at the historic school in Sidoarjo. Of those rescued, 97 were medically attended for multiple wounds and sent home. Six others suffered severe trauma and continued to be in hospital on Sunday.

Reason of Collapse Revealed

Authorities allege that two levels were being built to the existing facility without a permit, resulting in structural failure. This has provoked widespread anger over illegal construction in the country.

“The construction failed to withstand the load while the concrete was being placed [to build] the additional level because it violated construction codes and the whole 800-square-metres structure collapsed,” explained a structural engineer from a local technical institute.

The professional also commented that students must not have been given access inside a facility under construction.

Government Reaction

Sidoarjo district's chief confirmed the educational facility's leadership had not requested the mandatory permit before starting the project.

“Numerous structures, such as conventional school additions, in countryside locations were constructed lacking a construction license,” the administrator said.

Regulatory Implications

Indonesia's building safety laws dictate that authorizations have to be provided by the relevant authorities prior to any building work, or else proprietors risk monetary sanctions and jail time. If a infraction results in death, this can lead to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 8bn Indonesian currency (nearly $500,000).

Apology from Facility Leadership

The facility's administrator, a well-known religious leader in the province, offered a public apology in a rare address a day after the incident.

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

Continuing Inquiry

Judicial probes concerning religious leaders continue to be delicate in the largest Islamic country.

There has been silence from school officials since the incident.

“We will investigate this incident in detail,” East Java's top law enforcement officer stated on Sunday.

“Our investigation also needs guidance from a panel of construction experts to determine whether negligence by the facility resulted in the deaths.”