Indonesian children are forced to risk their lives crossing collapsed bridge to get to lessons

Children in Indonesia have been filmed risking their lives by crossing a collapsed suspension bridge to get to school. Three bridges in the district of Lebak have given way recently due to flooding.



When the 162m-long bridge that connected Ciwaru village to Sibagi village broke, school children were left with few alternatives for getting to lessons on time. Muhammad Ikhwan, a 10-year-old student, said he felt forced to choose crossing the collapsed bridge rather than walking 5km. "It's far if we don't use the bridge. Yes, it's about 5km to walk," he said.

The bridge was built in 2004 and is the only access that connects the two villages over the Ciberang river. 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.


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"We hope the government takes immediate action on this matter as this bridge is used for daily activities, especially school children as Ciwaru villages is far and this bridge is the nearest connection," Epi Suhaepi, a head of neighbouring village of Pasir Tanjung said. He said that some parents were worried about the conditions and safety of their children.