At least 9 dead in Bali bridge collapse

At least nine people were killed and 30 others injured yesterday after a small suspension bridge crowded with people returning from temple prayers collapsed near the Indonesian resort island of Bali, officials said.

The bridge, linking the small islands of Lembongan and Ceningan off of Bali, gave way, said a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Eight of the victims who died have been identified, including three children aged three to nine.

Initial reports indicate that there were no foreigners among the victims.

The head of the subdistrict of Nusa Penida, Gusti Ngurah Agung Mahajaya, said the bridge collapsed as many people were passing over it while returning from praying at a temple on Ceningan island.