INDONESIA: Rather than taking a long detour to get to school, some children are risking their lives climbing over a suspension bridge that collapsed due to floods to get to class in time

Record ID: 216318

  • Title: INDONESIA: Rather than taking a long detour to get to school, some children are risking their lives climbing over a suspension bridge that collapsed due to floods to get to class in time
  • Date: 21st January 2012
  • Summary: CIWARU VILLAGE, LEBAK DISTRICT, BANTEN PROVINCE, INDONESIA (JANUARY 19, 2012) (REUTERS) A COLLAPSED BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS CIWARU VILLAGE TO OTHER AREAS VARIOUS CHILDREN CROSSING COLLAPSED BRIDGE MUHAMMAD IKHWAN AND HIS SCHOOLMATES CROSSING BRIDGE IKHWAN ARRIVES AT THE OPPOSITE VILLAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) MUHAMMAD IKHWAN, AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT SAYING: "It's
  • Embargoed: 5th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Disasters
  • Reuters ID: LVAB5ECGQOYY2BP79AJ15DBRRS23
  • Story Text: A number of Indonesian school children were filmed on Friday (January 20, 2012) climbing over a collapsed suspension bridge and risking their lives, rather than take a longer route to school.
    Since Saturday (January 15) three suspension bridges in the district of Lebak have collapsed due to flooding.
    The 162-metre-long bridge that connected Ciwaru village to Sabagi village was severely damaged in the floods, giving children few options of getting to class on time.
    Muhammad Ikhwan, a 10-year-old elementary school student, said he felt forced to choose crossing the collapsed bridge, rather than walking five kilometers.
    "It's far if we don't use the bridge. Yes, it's about five kilometers to walk," Ikhwan said.
    Residents have called for more action from the local government to repair the crossing. Five days on since floods damaged the suspension bridge, there has been little improvement to the crossing. Residents have continued to use the bridge despite the dangerous conditions.
    "We hope the governments to take immediate action on this matter as this bridge use for daily activities, especially school children as Ciwaru villages is far and this bridge is nearest connection," Epi Suhaepi, a head of neighbouring village of Pasir Tanjung told Reuters.
    He said that some parents were worried about the conditions and safety of their children.
    Muhammad, a nine-year-old elementary student, said he was scared of crossing the damaged bridge, but did not want to miss out on his school lessons.
    "Yes I am afraid. (Afraid of what? Falling into the river?) Yes, actually I'm afraid, but I must do it," said Muhammad, who like many Indonesians go by one name.
    The bridge was built in 2004 and is the only access that connects the two villages over the Ciberang river
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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