RESCUERS FIND NO SURVIVORS AT COLLAPSED INDONESIAN SCHOOL. (PHOTO).

 Rescuers find no survivors at collapsed Indonesian school

Emergency officials confirmed Thursday that no signs of life remain at the site of a school building collapse in Sidoarjo, Indonesia, where at least five people have died. The operation at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School has shifted from a search-and-rescue effort to recovery, authorities said.

Lt. Gen. Suharyanto, head of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency, reported that thermal drones failed to detect any signs of life in the rubble. “Last night, we even cleared the area to ensure silence,” he said, noting that officials had hoped sophisticated equipment might detect survivors, but “scientifically, no signs of life were found.” As of Thursday morning, 59 people were still reported missing. Rescuers had previously pulled seven boys from the debris on Wednesday, two of whom were dead.

The disaster occurred on Monday when the building’s top floor collapsed onto students praying below while construction workers were pouring concrete. Authorities said the structure’s foundation was too weak to support additional floors, and the school had not obtained the necessary permits for the construction. Rescue teams had been cautious about moving rubble, fearing further collapse, but after Thursday’s findings, heavy equipment is expected to be used to remove larger debris.