Bridge collapse death toll rises to 14 in S Africa

The death toll in a bridge collapse in South Africa climbed to 14, local media reported on Tuesday evening. A bridge on the road R65 in the eastern province of Mpumalanga collapsed due to heavy rain on Monday night, killing 14 people, the South African Press Association quoted the local community safety department as saying. Local safety department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said the tragedy took place at around 9:50 p.m. local time when three vehicles crashing into the broken bridge over the dam and resulted in them being swept away by water. On Tuesday morning, the spokesperson said the collapse left six killed and five seriously injured and some others missing. "In the search and rescue operation, police have retrieved the missing bodies," said Mabuza on Tuesday evening. The spokesperson warned drivers of the risk of driving in rain, especially when they see water on the road. "They should stop and inspect the water, because it could be dangerous to drive further down the road." The country last witnessed a similar accident on Jan. 7, 2011, when a bridge collapsed on the road R555 in the same province, but with no casualty reported.