Death Toll Reaches 37 in Indonesian School Collapse Disaster as Search Continues for Missing

Officials reported on Sunday that the death toll from the Indonesian school collapse has increased to 37, as rescue teams continue to recover more victims from beneath the debris.

The partial collapse of the multi-level educational facility on Java island occurred suddenly on Monday while students were gathered for afternoon prayers.

"As of Sunday morning, rescue operations have accounted for 141 people total, with 104 survivors and 37 fatalities," stated Yudhi Bramantyo, operations director for the national search and rescue agency.

He further indicated that 26 individuals remain unaccounted for.

The current death count includes human remains that emergency workers retrieved from the rubble on Saturday, according to Yudhi.

Budi Irawan, a national disaster agency representative, informed reporters that approximately 60 percent of the recovery operation had been completed, expressing hope for a swift conclusion to rescue efforts.

"We anticipate that by tomorrow the site will be completely cleared, allowing us to determine the approximate number of victims still within the debris," Budi explained during a livestreamed media briefing.

Nanang Sigit, the local search and rescue agency head, independently confirmed the death toll of 37 in a separate statement.

While investigators continue examining the collapse's cause, preliminary evidence suggests substandard construction practices may have been a factor, according to experts consulted.

Officials noted that the rescue operation has been particularly challenging because vibrations in one section could potentially affect stability in other areas.

After the critical 72-hour "golden period" for optimal survival chances concluded, families of the missing gave authorization on Thursday for heavy machinery to be deployed in the recovery effort.