MANILA: Eight children were killed in the Philippines after a disused bridge they were playing on collapsed and plunged them into a river, reports AFP.

The accident happened Tuesday night in Dasmarinas City, 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the capital Manila, local officials said Thursday.

Another five children suffered minor injuries, said one of the rescuers, who declined to be named.

Photos posted on the Facebook page of Dasmarinas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga showed emergency personnel searching the Imus river.

A rust-eaten metal truss remained suspended about 10 metres (33 feet) above the water. The rescue official told AFP the single-lane bridge was built decades ago, but had been closed to traffic for years due to safety concerns.

It became a popular meeting place for local youth.