Bali's hanging bridge collapses, more than 10 killed

Bali's hanging bridge, also known as "Jambatan Kuning" (Yellow Bridge) collapsed yesterday, with more than 10 people believed to be killed and 30 others confirmed injured so far.

The bridge, which is a tourist attraction, links Pulau Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida in Bali.

The online media, quoting head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said the bridge collapsed because there were too many people on the bridge.

He said the incident occurred at about 7 pm while the bridge was crowded with people crossing over to Pura Bakung Ceningan for a religious ceremony known as "Hari Nyepi Segara".

The bridge, which is 150 metre long and 1.5 metre wide, is about five metres above the sea level. It was low tide when the bridge collapsed.

Sutopo said nine bodies had been recovered so far and the search and rescue operation was halted at 8 pm yesterday as it was dark, and was continued at 6 am today.

All the victims killed in the incident are believed to be locals, he added.

Meanwhile, a witness said there were about 100 people on the bridge when it began swaying and then collapsed as the cable holding it snapped.

"Many of the victims, including children, fell into the sea. Some managed to swim to safety," he added.