Jakarta Globe, June 07, 2010
Banda Aceh. Twelve Indonesian children died when a suspension bridge collapsed as they were taking part in a traditional ceremony to dispel bad luck, an official said on Monday.
The accident took place on Sunday in a remote village in Aceh province, district head Ibnu Hasyim said.
“There were about 37 kids gathered together on a wire-cable suspension bridge when it collapsed and they fell into a river,” he said.
Twenty-five children were rescued with minor injuries but 12 others, all below the age of 12, were swept away in the strong currents.
The children were watching a ritual ceremony to dispel misfortune after a measles outbreak in the area.
“The adults were throwing offerings in the form of chickens into the river” when the bridge collapsed, the official said.
Agence France-Presse
