One ethnic Indian child drowns; two others missing

19 students were rescued from the fast-flowing river after the accident in the picturesque Perak state where they were part of a 298 strong group of schoolchildren on a camping trip.

From reports of the teachers on the scene we believe there were 22 children on the bridge when it collapsed, local police chief Azeez Salleh said.

He said most of the children were rescued by the people.

12-year-old ethnic Indian student K Mathivanan who survived the tragedy said the bridge collapsed suddenly after it swayed a lot when several children started jumping and playing on it.

All of a sudden,we found ourselves thrown into the river. I managed to hold on to a rope. The current was swift but I managed to drag myself out of the water, news agency Bernama quoted him as saying.

The camp was organised by the Malaysian government as part of One Malaysia Scheme to foster integration among multicultural nations ethnic group.

The bridge,above 50 metres long,was built about two weeks ago to replace an old one which had collapse,said a member of the schools Parent-Teacher Association.

The bridge linked the campsite to a place where dinner was held for the children.

Nearly 300 rescuers were still looking for the missing Children.