The accident, that has so far claimed the life of three people, took place at Al-Khoziny Islamic boarding school on Java island – the most populated one of the archipelago.

Although dozens of students managed to get out after the collapse of the structure the previous Monday, many were trapped in the ruins.

The students were praying on the first floor of the building when the tragedy occurred while unauthorized expansion work (pouring of cement) was being carried out on the fourth floor, so the collapse started from that level, according to provincial police spokesman Jules Abraham Abast.

The event forced the authorities to open an investigation, in addition to supporting the relief work for those affected.

The exact number of people trapped in the rubble is not yet known, but it is presumed that there are about 91.

In the midst of the rescue work, rescuers have provided oxygen and water to some of the survivors who depend on the careful removal of the ruins to get out alive.

Most of the missing are children between 12 and 17 years of age and several bodies have been spotted in the wreckage, but priority is being given to the living.

jdt/jav/rgh/msm