Indonesia School Collapse: 59 Students Feared Dead as Rescuers Detect No Signs of Life After Four Days

Rescue personnel have gathered at the site of a catastrophic building collapse as search and rescue operations continue in Indonesia.

Officials reported Thursday that there were "no more signs of life" detected at the collapsed Indonesian school where 59 individuals were believed to be trapped under debris days after the structure gave way, diminishing hopes of finding additional survivors.

The multi-storey boarding school on Java island suddenly collapsed on Monday during afternoon prayer gatherings.

After several days of intensive rescue efforts, 59 people remain feared buried beneath the rubble, with at least five fatalities already confirmed.

Suharyanto, who heads the country's disaster mitigation agency, stated: "We employed advanced technology including thermal drones, and scientifically, there were no more signs of life detected."

Grief-stricken families wait anxiously near the collapse site for information about their loved ones. Local residents have opened their homes to these families while they maintain their vigil, as observed by AFP.

"I've been here since the beginning. I'm holding onto hope for positive news, that my brother has survived. I remain hopeful," said Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, whose 17-year-old brother is among the missing.

"Four days have passed now. I hope they find my brother soon. It's heartbreaking thinking about him being trapped down there for four days," the 28-year-old continued.

Rescue teams extracted five survivors from the debris on Wednesday while distressed parents urged searchers to accelerate efforts to locate dozens of children believed to still be trapped.

Abdul Hanan, father of a missing 14-year-old, claimed children beneath the rubble had been calling for help.

"The rescue operation must be expedited," he pleaded.

Investigations into what caused the collapse in Sidoarjo town are ongoing, though preliminary indications suggest substandard construction may be to blame, according to experts.

Mohammad Syafii, director of the National Search and Rescue Agency, explained that the rescue operation is complicated because vibrations in one area can impact others.

"To reach locations where victims are trapped, we need to excavate underground tunnels," he informed reporters.

The digging process itself presents challenges, including potential destabilization of the rubble. Any tunnel would only provide an access route approximately 60 centimeters (about 23 inches) wide due to the building's concrete column structure.

Rescuers are utilizing thermal-sensing drones to locate survivors and casualties as the 72-hour "golden period" for optimal survival chances draws to a close.

Pratikno, coordinating minister for human development and cultural affairs, announced that families of the missing had authorized the use of heavy equipment on Thursday, adding that rescuers would proceed with "extreme caution."

However, a search and rescue agency representative told AFP the operation might continue beyond seven days if people remain unaccounted for.

Local resident Ani described the school collapse as so violent it sent tremors throughout the neighborhood.

"I felt a vibration followed by a loud noise. I immediately ran to safety. Initially, I didn't realize a building had collapsed," the grocery stall owner told AFP.

AFP witnessed rescue workers in orange uniforms apparently threading cameras beneath the rubble to search for signs of survivors.

Water and food were being delivered, though access was limited to a single entry point.

"The main structure has completely collapsed," officials added.

The operation was further complicated by an offshore earthquake that occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, temporarily halting search efforts.

Local charitable organizations have established stations providing food and beverages to families gathered around the ruins.

According to the national disaster management agency spokesperson, the building collapsed after its foundation pillars failed to support the weight of new construction on the school's fourth floor.

Lax construction standards have raised widespread concerns about building safety throughout Indonesia, where it's common practice to leave structures—particularly residential buildings—partially completed, allowing owners to add additional floors later when finances permit.

Earlier this month, at least three people died and dozens sustained injuries when a building hosting a prayer recital collapsed in West Java province.