Indonesia school collapse: Death toll rises to 14 as search continues

The death toll in an Indonesian school collapse rose to 14 on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers moved to deploy heavy machinery to recover dozens more victims believed still buried under the rubble.

Part of the multi-storey boarding school collapsed suddenly on Monday as students gathered for afternoon prayers in Sidoarjo, about 650km east of Jakarta in Java.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto told reporters rescuers found nine bodies today, raising the toll to 14.

“As of today, we are still searching for 49 people who are still missing,” Suharyanto, who goes by one name, said today, as reported by broadcaster Kompas TV.

More victims could yet be found, Suharyanto said, as rescuers used heavy machinery to clear locations where the victims were believed to be buried underneath the rubble.

Rescuers are using heavy machinery to recover victims after the "golden period" ended. Photo / Juni Kriswanto, AFP

“After the last victim was found last night, we are focusing on a massive clean-up, with heavy equipment entering the collapsed areas,” he said.

The collapse of the school was so violent that it sent tremors across the neighbourhood, according to residents.

Investigators have been looking into the cause of the collapse, but initial signs pointed to substandard construction, experts have said.

The rescue operation was complex because vibrations in one place could affect other areas, officials said.

However, the families of the missing agreed on Thursday for heavy equipment to be used, after the 72-hour “golden period” for the best chance of survival came to an end.

The rescue operation was complicated by an earthquake that struck overnight on Wednesday, briefly halting the search.

– Agence France-Presse