Superstitious behaviour, bizarrely intended to ward off bad-luck associated with a measles outbreak, has spectacularly failed.

Twelve Indonesian children have died after a suspension bridge collapsed, in Aceh, as they were taking part in a traditional ceremony to dispel bad luck, (a local official said).

“There were about 37 kids gathered together on a wire-cable suspension bridge when it collapsed and they fell into a river,” district chief Ibnu Hasyim said.

Twenty-five children were rescued with minor injuries but 12 others – all below the age of 12 – were swept away in strong currents.

The children were watching a ritual ceremony to dispel misfortune after a measles outbreak in the area.

The Australian Criminal Anti-Vaxxers must be distressed. It would not surprise me if Chicken giblets sacrifice is on the retinue of ‘cure’ being proferred by Meryl Dorey and her dangerous cronies at the AVN.

The adults were throwing offerings in the form of chickens into the river when the bridge collapsed, the official said.

Measles vaccine works far better, and are less likely to cause bridges to collapse.