At least a dozen people who gathered on a bridge to watch an overflowing river in north-eastern Nigeria died when it collapsed, local police said on Monday. Scores of people were on the bridge across the Jalingo river in the remote farming state of Taraba when it collapsed on Sunday. Many swam to safety.
"We have so far recovered nine bodies and rescued five people, but I think between 12 and 16 people may have died in the incident," a police spokesman said by phone from the state capital Jalingo.
He said the rescue effort was still going on and more bodies might be recovered from the disaster scene on the outskirts of the state capital.
State-run Radio Nigeria, quoting witnesses, said at least 60 people died when the bridge collapsed, while one government official contacted by Reuters said initial reports indicated more than 30 dead.
Heavy rain has caused flooding and swollen rivers in several parts of Africa's most populous nation. About 75 people have died in three boat capsizes over the last two weeks.
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