REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR – At first, no one would believe that crossing the bamboo bridge could cause a tragedy. Yet, the old bridge over Cidua River in Ciampea, Bogor, could not sustain the burden of more than 20 people then it collapsed around 09.30 am local time. Seven people are still missing, most of them are children.

The total number of people involved in the accident is still conflicting. Some say 17 people, while others say 23 people. Those who survive are still in mentally shock due to the tragic accident.

Sumiyati (36 years) is among those lucky survivors. She recounted, she and other fellows intended to attend an event at al Huriah mosque of Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) in Darmaga, Bogor. But they were misinformed as no such event on the scene. “There was no such event there, so we decided to go home,” she recalled on Sunday.       

As they reached the Cidua River, the first batch of seven people crossed safely to the other edge of the bamboo bridge. The bridge is 15 meter long and one meter wide. “They reached the edge safely,” she said.  

Then Sumiyati joined the second batch –bigger in number- to cross the bridge. In the middle, they heard the sound of cracking. The bamboo pillars that sustain the bridge were fractured. The bridge cut off in the middle. 

Many of the bridge-crossers suddenly plunged into the strong stream beneath them. Most of them are children at the age from 5 year to ten year old. Sumiyati and Neni (35 years) are among them who survive. “I was saved by my cloth that clung to a bamboo pillar,” Sumiyati relieved. 

The police assisted by local community are still combing the area to find seven missing people after they found Umamah (40 years) lay at the riverbank. “We found her lifeless in the riverbank, her head was bleeding,” the local police chief, Puhyani, told Republika on Sunday.

The search and rescue operation is hampered by the strong stream and rocky riverbed. “We can only comb around the riverbank,” he said. 

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