Colombian students walk on the wild side: Risky rope bridge commute over crocodile-infested river

Over 70 Colombian students in rural Villalaydee, near the city of Santa Marta, risk their lives daily by crossing a makeshift bridge to go to school. The bridge, made from a water pipe with hanging ropes for balance, spans the crocodile-infested Kaira River.

Resident Dorisa Fadul appeals to the city’s responsible authorities for safe bridge construction for Colombian students, but her request seems to be ignored.

“We had a wooden bridge that we built ourselves, but it began to deteriorate in January this year and completely collapsed on July 1.”

More than just facing the risk of being swept away by the river at any time when crossing this rope bridge, these over 70 students could also fall prey to crocodiles, abundant in the Kaira River.

Eduardo Fadul, who helped build the original bridge in the area, knocked on the mayor’s office several times to request a new bridge construction. He even reported the situation to the city’s risk management office. However, up until now, no response regarding a bridge construction plan has been received from any department, reported Sanook.

“When the water level is low, people can cross this area using rafts, which is also very dangerous. But when the water rises, people cannot risk their lives, and children have no other option but to cross the water pipe bridge to go to school.”

Chinese state media reported that an extensive operation in Guangdong province successfully recaptured 71 escaped crocodiles. The reptiles had made their escape from a commercial farm in the city of Maoming following a typhoon-induced flood earlier this month. Read more HERE.

A Malaysian family experienced a startling surprise at their home when they heard unusual noises coming from their sewer pipe. They promptly alerted the authorities, only to find out that a large crocodile had entered their drainage system. This close encounter with a potential predator had the potential for a disastrous outcome. Read more HERE.

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