Gunsalam, who is the Kundasang assemblyman, said the suspension bridge, built 10 years ago, was the only road connecting the village to other areas.

Without the bridge, the villagers of Kampung Gusi cross the river by boat or small canoe, he said. The suspension bridge is 150m long and stands at a height of about 2.4m.

“The absence of this bridge has affected the socio-economic activities of the people here in agriculture because they find it difficult to bring out their agricultural products,” he said in a statement today after a visit to review the condition of the collapsed bridge.

Eight students were injured, with one suffering a broken leg, after falling from the bridge while trying to get internet access.

He said the suspension bridge was built 10 years ago and is now quite old. It had undergone repairs previously but must now be rebuilt.