Nine dead, one missing as bridge collapses in Indonesia

BENGKULU: Nine people drowned and the other was missing on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island after a bridge collapsed, the disaster officials said Monday.

About 30 people, almost all were students, in the town of Kaur bridge on Sunday afternoon when the recently built bridge suddenly collapsed during the crossing, hurting some teens down into the water while others clasped on to the banister.

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The level of water was higher than normal in the river below the bridge with strong currents after torrential downpours hammering the area.

Head of the disaster prevention agency Ujang Syafiri said, “Perhaps the bridge couldn’t withstand the weight and it collapsed seven died, and three more are missing after the incident.”

Several students who fell into the water were saved, although he added that a search and rescue team scoured a range of 20 kilometers to find the missing people.

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Some 67 people have been killed this month in and around the capital Jakarta, as record rains caused flooding and landslides around the capital area.