Local media reported that a newly constructed suspension bridge in Indonesia gave way during its opening ceremony, sending dozens of people on the deck into the river.

Footage from the scene showed officials and residents packed onto the bridge to mark the opening before the deck buckled and the crowd fell into the water together.

A suspension bridge hangs its deck from cables and is designed for distributed loading. Concentrating more people than the design load at one point can leave the structure vulnerable.

Such accidents at opening ceremonies share common features: events held before completion inspection and load testing are finished, or attendance far exceeding expectations.

The cause awaits investigation, with the workmanship of cable anchorages, deck connections and crowd control procedures all subject to review.

Footbridges in rural areas serve as basic infrastructure. Without a crossing, journeys to school and to clinics lengthen considerably, so rebuilding to proper safety standards remains the task.

Indonesia has substantial travel links with Korea, China and Taiwan alike, and visitors to regional areas do well to check guidance on local facilities.