local health department officials were quoted as saying that the causeway over the sao maria falls , in southern peru ' s piura province , " broken in two " as passengers and teachers from four farm schools were carrying it while going home . fernando spain , a dentist with a local hospital confirmed in reports that the death toll had raised to nine . the accident has injured 53 children , most of whom were children between the ages of 10 and 13 , venezuela said . thirteen of the victims were in critical condition . local police alleged the 120 - metre cross , made of wooden boards and slats held together by iron pins , collapsed because too many people were on it .
The Peruvian bridge in Ayachuco province broke because of the weight on it.