Rescuers in Indonesia are racing against time to save around 60 young students trapped in a collapsed Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java.
According to the Disaster Mitigation Agency, the foundation of the Al Khoziny School gave way while construction was underway on the upper floor. During the prayer, the building collapsed, crushing the students.
Based on school records and family reports, 59 are still missing. Rescuers used motion detectors and scanners to try to find signs of life, but found none as of Thursday.
As of Wednesday evening, the death toll had reached six, according to the agency's Operations Director. But the disaster mitigation agency reported that five people had been confirmed dead. "We will not give up. Maybe there is still hope for our little brothers and sisters," said Yudhi Bramantyo.
Meanwhile, parents continue to wait around the school. One of them is Ahmad Ikhsan, 52, who continues to hope that his son, Arif Affandi, 14, is still alive. "Until now I have not heard from my son. I believe he is still alive," he said.
