Bolivia's government declared a state of emergency in the region.

Most of the bodies -- 29 -- were recovered from around the bridge over the Chapare river in central Bolivia, which gave way under pressure from the rampaging waters, rescue workers said.

Most of those 29 were believed to have been aboard a bus that plunged into the river.

Officials said many of the missing, including three children, were presumed to have been swept away in the bus, which was believed to be carrying about 45 passengers.

One passenger who escaped from the bus said many fellow passengers had been sleeping just before the bus was carried away.

Other vehicles were also swept away after the 400 meter (437 yard) bridge collapse, and rescue workers near Villa Tunari continue to search for survivors.

The floods caused widespread material damage to houses, as well as damaging a principal highway that passes through the region and which carries a majority of Bolivia's road traffic.

Rescue squads intensified the hunt for survivors Wednesday after the flood waters, which had risen to 30 meters (98 feet), receded.

Public Works minister Jorge Urquidi said it is likely to take six months to rebuild the damaged Chapare bridge at a cost of some one million dollars.

The adverse weather also damaged crops and killed livestock.

TERRA.WIRE