Think the school run is bad? Children face Indiana Jones-style river crossing EVERY day after floods cut off their community



At first glance, it looks like an action sequence from Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom.

But, in reality, it is the daily commute to and from work and school for of adults and children in Lebak, Indonesia.

Clinging for dear life on a disintegrating wood-and-wire suspension bridge, children as young as five take their lives into their hands crossing the Ciberang River every day.

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Perilous crossing: Students, some as young as five, hold on to the side steel bars of a collapsed bridge as they cross a river to get to school at Sanghiang Tanjung village in Lebak, Indonesia

Life imitating art: Student Sofiah, above left, says she would rather risk the bridge than walk an hour and a half to the next river crossing. Above right: A scene from Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom

The river crossing become precarious and potentially fatal last week after the suspension bridge was almost washed away by flooding.

A pillar supporting one side of the crossing collapsed, leaving the wooden planks that acted as a path tilted to one side.



Only one side of the suspension bridge remained intact, meaning commuters have had to carefully pick their way over the bouncing structure.

Falling apart: Locals have reported that sections of the simple wood-and-wire bridge have been disappearing overnight, suggesting that the bridge is far from stable

Falling apart: Locals have reported that sections of the simple wood-and-wire bridge have been disappearing overnight, suggesting that the bridge is far from stable

It is far from stable, and locals have already reported sections disappearing overnight.

Children who live on the other side of the bank must use the damaged bridge to get to school.



Sofiah, a student who traverses the bridge each day, explained that the nearest other crossing was half an hour’s walk away.

Seeing as that would mean getting up earlier each morning, and coming home later each night, she said she would rather risk the crossing on the collapsed ropes.

