More than 30 people were injured after a suspension bridge collapsed in Ecuador during festivities to mark the formation of the Manabi Province.

Local residents stood atop the structure to watch a regatta of rafts due to pass beneath them on Sunday in Tosagua, in the country's east.

But the bridge was unable to sustain the weight of the residents and collapsed, throwing 32 people, 10 of them children, into the water below.

Canton fire chief Juan Velázquez told El Comercio that an investigation has been opened to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Of those who fell into the Carrizal River, none have sustained serious injuries.

More than 20 injured people were taken to a nearby hospital, but all were discharged with minor injuries.