Rescue workers in Indonesia say there are “no signs of life” beneath the rubble of a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, where 59 people remain missing.
The two-storey structure gave way on Monday while still under construction, trapping hundreds of students inside.
At least five students have been confirmed dead, while nearly 100 others sustained injuries.
Thirteen people were rescued in the initial operations, though two later died in hospital.
Officials say the unstable structure has slowed efforts, forcing rescuers to work with extreme caution.
On Thursday, disaster agency chief Lt Gen Suharyanto confirmed that thermal drones and sound-detection equipment had failed to pick up any movement or voices under the debris.
“Scientifically, no signs of life were found,” he told reporters, adding that operations had now entered a new phase.
Heavy machinery, including cranes and concrete cutters, will be deployed to remove massive slabs of debris that rescuers could not shift earlier for fear of triggering further collapse.
Families of missing students have been camping outside the school for days, clinging to hope.
“I am hoping for the best news, that my brother survives,” said Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, whose 17-year-old sibling remains trapped. Another parent, Ahmad Ikhsan, told Reuters: “I believe my son is still alive.”
Officials revealed the school had been undergoing expansion when the collapse occurred. Two additional floors were being added, despite the foundation being too weak to hold the extra weight.
Local authorities later confirmed that the school’s management had not secured the necessary permits for the construction.
The number of those unaccounted for has fluctuated throughout the week as emergency teams verify reports.
Suharyanto acknowledged that such discrepancies are common in the chaotic early stages of a disaster.
The tragedy has sparked fresh scrutiny of Indonesia’s building safety standards, particularly in educational institutions.
In recent years, similar collapses have exposed the dangers of weak foundations and unapproved construction.
Rescue operations are expected to continue for several more days as teams dig through unstable concrete in the hope of recovering more bodies and, possibly, survivors.