Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The government’s version of the investigation report is out, well in a way. A statement was issued:
The suspension bridge which collapsed near SK Kuala Dipang in Kampar, Perak, did not meet required engineering codes and specifications.
A statement issued by Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom Tuesday revealed that the structure was only able to take the weight of eight pupils (each weighing 35kgs).
The tragedy occurred on Oct 26 when pupils from 60 schools in the state tried crossing the bridge in groups of 14 to 17. [tried? why? was the person(s) supervising the movement aware?]
Alimuddin added that the collapse was caused by a faulty concrete block connection.
“The investigation committee found that the concrete block connection in Pylon A could not handle the uplift force from the back-stayed cable.
“Additionally, the private contractor involved had not submitted a plan of the structure or received any approval from authorities such as the district council and Drainage and Irrigation department,’’ he said.
In the tragedy, three primary school pupils attending a 1Malaysia camp drowned after the suspension bridge they were on collapsed into the Kampar river.
At around 10.30pm after an ice-breaking session at the campsite, the organising teachers allowed pupils in groups of 14 to 17 to cross the bridge for their meal at the school. [so, does it mean the teachers were not informed about the weight limit or there was no info?]
Meanwhile, some pupils returned to the campsite to retrieve their water containers and cutlery.
According to Alimuddin, under the weight of pupils crossing from both directions, the bridge began to collapse.
Additionally, heavy rainfall earlier in the evening had increased the river level and current, causing the bridge to sway.
Some of the pupils who were swept away by the current were saved by the camp commandant, trainers, teachers and workers who had jumped into the river after them, he said.
Firemen, rescue workers and the police showed up later to continue the search for missing pupils.
The Education Ministry, he said, would take into account the views of the Public Works Ministry and Department, the Construction Industry Development Board, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers in deciding the appropriate measures to be taken against the involved parties.
There is also an ongoing police investigation into the incident, he said.
Read the alternative reports here, here, and here.
Nothing was mentioned about teachers, supervisors, and the various departments. How can a bridge be built and these people were unaware? Does it mean, you will allow anyone to just come and built something on your land? Sure, the bridge was faulty. But why was it there in the first place?
I agree with you on this. No doubt the bridge was faulty but one needs to remember an engineering design is based on several assumptions in terms of load, usage and other factors. So just to blame the design is not fair in my opinion.
I am not a PWD enginner so I m not sure if it is common practice to design a suspension bridge unlike other bigger bridges that used for vehicle and people movement.
I have crossed many such bridges in my life and in most cases there are sign that says only one or two people can cross at anytime.
I agree that the fault is with the teachers and supervisors who allowed the children to leave the camp unsupervised at 10.30pm. So MOE better not cover up and take the appropriate disciplinary actions on the people responsible. It should start with the Camp Commandant or the MOE official in charge of this program at the site.
I also feel the kids themselves must be educated as I heard dozens of them were jumping on the bridge.
I am hoping also to see the corrective actions for the future. Things like rules being tightened, safety precautions being re-examined, insurance coverage, trainers’ training review, etc. I also hope the govt can compensate the families of the victims.
Such tragedies are only making people apprehensive about sending their kids to such camps. This is a pity since these camps are hugely beneficial.