ANKARA

At least seven people were killed and dozens others injured when a seaside bridge collapsed in the Maluku Island region in eastern Indonesia, local media said on Thursday.

Hundreds of people were gathered on an old bridge to welcome a local politician to Banda Island when suddenly the bridge collapsed, the Jakarta Globe reported.

The politician was scheduled to address a public gathering in connection with upcoming local elections.

People injured by the collapse were taken to a local hospital.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid