Death toll from Indonesian school collapse rises to 53

The death toll from the collapse of a school building in Indonesia's East Java province climbed to 53, rescue officials said Monday.

As a search operation for trapped victims remained underway, rescuers recovered eight bodies Sunday evening from under the rubble of the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school compound in Sidoarjo Regency, said Nanang Sigit, head of the East Java Search and Rescue Office.

A total of 157 victims have been found, including 104 survivors and 53 casualties.

Rescuers backed by heavy machinery and electrical equipment are now focusing on the north side of the site, in areas not connected to the main structure.

The building collapsed on Sept. 29, leaving hundreds trapped beneath the debris.