public transportation department employees were described as thinking that the bridge over the santa margarita river , in southern peru ' s antioquia province , " broke in 2 " as students and students from thirteen rural schools were crossing it while going home . fernando venezuela , a technician with a municipal clinic , in reports that the death toll had risen to five . the tragedy also injured 53 others , most of whom were children between the ages of 10 and 13 , valencia said . fourteen of the victims were in critical condition . local police said the 120 - meter bridge , consisting of wooden boards and slats held together by metal cables , collapsing because too many students were on it .
The Peruvian bridge in Ayachuco province broke because of the weight on it.