KOTA KINABALU: Two primary school children suffered slight injuries when a village jetty at Kg Pababag collapsed in Sabah east coast Semporna district, says the Education Ministry.
The two pupils were among an estimated 25 pupils, kindergarten children and two SK Pulau Pababag teachers who fell into the sea when a wooden jetty at Kg Pababag collapsed at around 6.45am Monday (Jan 30).
The Education Ministry said in a statement that based on the initial report provided by the Semporna district Education Department, the incident occurred when the children were on the jetty to go to school.
"The ministry through the Semporna Education Department has taken immediate steps to provide assistance to the victims,” it said.
Efforts to provide counselling for the affected teachers and pupils will be carried out, the statement said.
The ministry views the incident seriously and would ensure that the safety aspects including requiring the mandatory use of lifejackets.
Discussions with the local authorities to ensure that jetties were structurally safe will be held to ensure such incidents do recur, it added.
The ministry urged local government authorities to also provide a safe alternative route for the pupils, teachers and parents at Kg Pababag following the collapse of the jetty.
