A bridge connecting two small islands near the Indonesian resort island of Bali has collapsed, killing nine people and injuring at least 30, officials say.

There were too many people passing over the bridge for a Hindu religious ceremony when it collapsed at 6.00pm local time Sunday, police officer Arendra Wahyudi said, adding some motorbikes also fell into the water. The sea beneath the bridge was less than two metres deep but many of the victims, including three children, were crushed by debris, Mr Wahyudi said.

All of the victims were locals, he said. Indonesia's search and rescue agency stopped the search for the day at 9.00pm local time, but will be resuming at daybreak today, its spokesman said.

(abc)