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Indonesian emergency crews located numerous further victims over the past few days, increasing the official death toll to 49 after a prayer hall at an religious school caved in last week.

Focused Emergency Efforts In Progress

Utilizing construction equipment equipped with breaking equipment, cutting tools and at times their own hands, rescue teams cleared tons of debris in a urgent bid to discover the 14 pupils reportedly still unaccounted for. Rescuers found 35 bodies over the recent period alone, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Sequence of the Heartbreaking Event

The structure fell on top of numerous of students – primarily boys ranging from 12 to 19 – on 29 September at the historic educational institution in East Java. Of those extracted, 97 were cared for for different trauma and released. Six others suffered severe injuries and were still hospitalised on Sunday.

Origin of Collapse Revealed

Police claim that additional floors were being built to the two-story building without a construction license, resulting in building collapse. This has sparked broad outrage over unpermitted construction in the nation.

“The building work was unable to bear the load while the cement was being poured [to build] the new story because it didn't meet standards and the complete 800-square-metres construction caved in,” stated a building specialist from Tenth November Institute of Technology.

The specialist also said that scholars ought not to have been permitted inside a structure being built.

Administrative Response

The local district head confirmed the educational facility's leadership had not sought the mandatory permit before initiating construction.

“Many structures, including traditional educational institution additions, in countryside locations were erected without a construction license,” the administrator said.

Regulatory Ramifications

The country's construction regulations specify that authorizations have to be issued by the appropriate agencies prior to any building work, or else owners face monetary sanctions and incarceration. If a breach results in loss of life, this can culminate in up to 15 years in prison and a monetary sanction of up to 8bn rupiah (nearly $500,000).

Address from Institution Management

The school's caretaker, a prominent religious leader in East Java, issued a formal apology in a unusual address a day after the collapse.

“This is truly a test from God so we must all be resigned, and may God substitute it with something better, with something much better,” he said. “We must be confident that God will compensate those affected by this incident with substantial rewards.”

Ongoing Inquiry

Legal probes involving Muslim clerics are still sensitive in the largest Muslim-majority nation.

There has been no statement from institution administrators since the tragedy.

“We will examine this case thoroughly,” East Java's top law enforcement officer announced on Sunday.

“Our investigation also requires guidance from a panel of building specialists to determine whether carelessness by the school resulted in the deaths.”