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Irish among six dead in California balcony collapse Irish among six dead in California balcony collapse
(35 minutes later)
Six people have been killed, and seven others have been seriously injured, when a fourth-floor balcony in California gave way.Six people have been killed, and seven others have been seriously injured, when a fourth-floor balcony in California gave way.
At least five of the dead are believed to be young people from Ireland.At least five of the dead are believed to be young people from Ireland.
Police found debris on the street below after an emergency call at 01:00 local time (08:00 GMT) in Berkeley.Police found debris on the street below after an emergency call at 01:00 local time (08:00 GMT) in Berkeley.
The victims are believed to have been holding a 21st birthday party at the time, Irish officials said, but the cause of collapse is unknown.The victims are believed to have been holding a 21st birthday party at the time, Irish officials said, but the cause of collapse is unknown.
They are believed to have been in the US on temporary worker visas.They are believed to have been 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 level below.Photos taken at the scene appear to show a balcony on the fourth floor of the building fallen to the balcony on the level below.
Enda Kenny, the Irish Prime Minister, has said that police told him there were 13 people on the balcony when it collapsed.Enda Kenny, the Irish Prime Minister, has said that police told him there were 13 people on the balcony when it collapsed.
Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said that four of the victims died at the scene and another died in hospital.Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said that four of the victims died at the scene and another died in hospital.
The Alameda County coroner's office later told the BBC a sixth person had died in hospital.The Alameda County coroner's office later told the BBC a sixth person had died in hospital.
The balcony, which is approximately 5 feet (1.5m) long and 10 feet wide, broke from the building around 00:41 local time.The balcony, which is approximately 5 feet (1.5m) long and 10 feet wide, broke from the building around 00:41 local time.
Berkeley Police spokesman Byron White said first responders described the scene as "quite disturbing".Berkeley Police spokesman Byron White said first responders described the scene as "quite disturbing".
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.
Police received a complaint about loud noise at the flat about an hour before the balcony collapsed, but did not go to the building to investigate, they said.Police received a complaint about loud noise at the flat about an hour before the balcony collapsed, but did not go to the building to investigate, they said.
Two Irish students who were asleep in the building when the incident occurred described a loud sound when the balcony fell.Two Irish students who were asleep in the building when the incident occurred described a loud sound when the balcony fell.
"I just heard a bang and a lot of shouting," said Dan Sullivan."I just heard a bang and a lot of shouting," said Dan Sullivan.
Another student, Mark Neville, said: "I walked out and I saw rubble on the street and a bunch of Irish students crying."Another student, Mark Neville, said: "I walked out and I saw rubble on the street and a bunch of Irish students crying."
Mr Flanagan said the people who were injured in the incident were Irish as well.Mr Flanagan said the people who were injured in the incident were Irish as well.
The identities of the victims are not yet being released, pending family notification.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".
He said his heart goes out to the families and their loved ones.He said his heart goes out to the families and their loved ones.
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 apartment building was constructed in 2006, according to the Los Angeles Times.The apartment building was constructed in 2006, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A Berkeley city official said that building inspectors had visited the building on Tuesday. Three remaining balconies on the building have been closed.A Berkeley city official said that building inspectors had visited the building on Tuesday. Three remaining balconies on the building have been closed.
In 2013, a similar accident killed 13 people and injured at least 50 others in Chicago, when a deck holding revellers collapsed.
In that incident, more than 60 people were on the building's porches, according to CBS Chicago.
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.