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Balcony collapse in California 'kills five people' Balcony collapse in California 'kills five people'
(35 minutes later)
The balcony of a fourth floor flat in California has collapsed, killing five people and injuring eight, some seriously, police have said. Five Irish students have been killed, and as many as nine others have been injured, when a fourth-floor balcony in California gave way.
All five of those killed were Irish students, Ireland's Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said. Police found debris on the street below after an emergency call at 01:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
Police found debris on the street below after an emergency call just before 01:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday in Berkeley. The students are believed to have been holding a birthday party at the time, Irish officials said, but the cause of collapse is unknown.
Officials are still unsure why it happened, a police spokeswoman said. They were believed to be in the US on temporary worker visas.
Photos taken at the scene appear to show a balcony on the fourth floor of the building fallen to the balcony on the floor below.
Many of those hurt have life-threatening injuries, said Jennifer Coats, a Berkeley Police Department spokeswoman.Many of those hurt have life-threatening injuries, said Jennifer Coats, a Berkeley Police Department spokeswoman.
Photos taken at the scene appear to show a balcony on the fourth floor of the building falling on to another balcony on the third floor of the building. Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said that four of the victims died at the scene and another died in hospital.
Mr Flanagan said that four of the victims died at the scene and another died in hospital, after the balcony collapsed while a birthday party was taking place in the building.
He said another eight or nine people who were injured in the incident were Irish students as well.He said another eight or nine people who were injured in the incident were Irish students as well.
The identities of the victims are not yet being released, pending family notification.
Irish President Michael Higgins said that he had "heard with the greatest sadness of the terrible loss of life of young Irish people and the critical injury of others in Berkeley, California today".Irish President Michael Higgins said that he had "heard with the greatest sadness of the terrible loss of life of young Irish people and the critical injury of others in Berkeley, California today".
"My heart goes out to the families and loved one's of all those involved," he said. He said his heart goes out to the families and their loved ones.
A local ABC reporter at the scene said it is thought the Irish people involved had come to California to work for the summer.
The Irish consul general in San Francisco is helping those affected and there is an Irish helpline (+353 1 418 0200).The Irish consul general in San Francisco is helping those affected and there is an Irish helpline (+353 1 418 0200).
The building has shops on the ground floor and flats on the higher floors.The building has shops on the ground floor and flats on the higher floors.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the balcony collapse? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Are you affected by the balcony collapse? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you are available to speak with a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number.If you are available to speak with a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number.