Malaysian Pupils Feared Drowned After Bridge Collapse

Search and rescue operations are under way in Malaysia for primary school children feared drowned after a suspension bridge collapsed during a camping trip.

One girl is confirmed dead and two are missing after the incident late yesterday near Kuala Dipang, the national news agency Bernama reported. The victims were less than 13 years old. Police had said as many as 21 students may be missing.

They were among 298 pupils from 60 primary schools on a field trip about two hours from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Between 30 and 50 children were on the bridge when it collapsed at about 10 p.m. local time when they were crossing from the camp site to the Kuala Dipang school to have dinner.

About 20 people were saved when they managed to cling to the structure.

The 50-meter (164-foot) bridge was completed two weeks ago to replace an earlier suspension bridge that also collapsed, Bernama reported.

K. Mathivanan, a 12-year-old student who survived the accident, told Bernama some students were jumping up and down before the bridge collapsed.

Mathivanan said he was thrown into the river, and was able to grab a rope. “The current was so strong, but I managed to pull myself up,” he said.

Investigation Planned

The Education Ministry will investigate the incident, including whether teachers were properly supervising the pupils.

“We hope that the teachers in charge will exercise greater caution,” Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said after visiting the accident scene. “The safety of pupils must be given top priority.”

Mohd Safri Abdul Rafar, a teacher, said he was close to the bridge when he heard a loud noise, as if something heavy had crashed, followed by screams.

“I immediately jumped over the fence into the river,” he told Bernama. “I had a chance to pull out three, or four students.” He said the current was so strong he almost drowned and was forced to climb out of the river.

The bridge collapsed after a metal pillar was ripped out, Perak’s chief minister Zambry Abdul Kadir was cited as saying by Bernama. A concrete block foundation was also ripped out of the ground and part of the bridge walkway was left floating in the river, the news agency said.

The Kampar River is known for water sports. The part of the river where the bridge was built is about 30 meters wide and 1.5 meters deep, Bernama said.