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POLICE evacuated seven people, including a heavily pregnant woman and a child, after they were stranded when a bridge collapsed over Sungai Mok in Rompin on Tuesday.
Rompin district police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the bridge linking Kampung Selendang and Kampung Sungai Mok was reported to have collapsed at about 8am.
Three officers from the Kuala Rompin police station were later deployed at 2.20pm to carry out a humanitarian aid and evacuation operation.
“The evacuation involved two adult men, three elderly women, a pregnant woman and a young girl. High-risk victims were evacuated first to ensure their safety,” he said in a statement.
All those affected, aged between 11 and 55, were relocated to stay with relatives. Sharif Shai said the pregnant woman did not require hospital treatment and was sent directly to a relative’s home in Kampung Tanam, as her expected delivery date is on 7 January.
The small bridge connecting Kampung Selendang and Kampung Sungai Mok is believed to have collapsed earlier that morning. An estimated 750 residents were affected by the incident but chose to remain in their homes.
Residents are now relying on an alternative dirt road through plantation routes to Kampung Denai–Tanjung Gemok, a journey that takes about an hour.
In a separate statement, the Rompin District Public Works Department engineer’s office said Jalan Kampung Sungai Mok has been fully closed to all types of vehicles since Tuesday following the collapse.
“The closure involves the route at Bridge No 1 and no alternative route is available. The public is advised to comply with warning signs and instructions issued for safety reasons,” it said.
Meanwhile, in Kelantan, the state government expressed its appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after he directed that funds be allocated immediately to replace a collapsed suspension bridge at Lata Rek, Kuala Krai.
The incident left more than 50 wedding guests injured after they fell into Sungai Chatel Damai on Tuesday afternoon.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said he had instructed the Kuala Krai Land and District Office to coordinate all related matters with the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and relevant agencies to ensure replacement works are expedited and carried out in an orderly manner.
He said the state government remains committed to working closely with the Federal Government to safeguard public welfare and to ensure that safe and functional public facilities are provided.
“Following the incident, the Manek Urai state assemblyman and the Kuala Krai Member of Parliament have taken immediate steps by going to the ground and initiating early action to assist victims and ensure the safety of local residents,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday night.
At the same time, Mohd Nassuruddin said the state government expressed its sympathy and concern for all those affected.
“I pray that all victims are granted a speedy recovery and that all matters are made easier. God willing, with close cooperation from all parties, solutions can be implemented quickly and effectively,” he said.
Media reports earlier said more than 50 guests attending a wedding were plunged into the river when the suspension bridge collapsed suddenly at about 2pm.
A man suffered a broken leg after falling onto rocks, a child sustained head injuries, while three others suffered minor injuries and breathing difficulties.
Mukim Lata Rek village head Mohd Zaki Saari said the incident occurred when the groom’s procession met guests from the bride’s side on the suspension bridge.
He said the bridge had been repaired several times previously, as it serves as the main access route for residents of five houses in the area. - January 3, 2025
