Death toll rises to 12 after bridge collapses on Indonesia's Borneo island

Death toll rises to 12 after bridge collapses on Indonesia's Borneo island

2011-11-28 17:27:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA (BNO NEWS) -- The death toll after a bridge collapsed on the Indonesian island of Borneo during the weekend has risen to at least twelve, officials said on Monday. More than 30 others are still believed to be missing.

The accident happened at around 4.20 p.m. local time on Saturday when around 25 cars and motorcycles were crossing the 720-meters (2,362 feet) long Mahakam II Bridge, which is also known as the Kutai Kertanegara bridge and was built to resemble the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States.

As of Monday afternoon, a national police spokesman confirmed at least twelve bodies have so far been recovered. The death toll is expected to more than triple as 33 people are still believed to be missing. A total of 37 people were injured.

Although it remains unknown what may have caused the collapse, officials from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspect the construction was riddled with corruption. "For example, the amount of certain building materials such as iron or cement may have been reduced, which means the bridge's lifespan would not be as designed," KPK deputy chairman M. Jasin told local media.

Corruption investigators have been sent to the scene to investigate the accident, but the KPK won't be able to investigate the tragedy because the bridge was built prior to the KPK's formation. However, if corruption is found in the use and maintenance of the bridge, the KPK will be able to investigate.

The Mahakam II Bridge was one of the longest bridges in Indonesia.

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