12 kids die in Indonesia bridge collapse

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 today.

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.

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The accident took place Sunday in a remote village in Aceh province, Sumatra island, district chief 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.