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| Irish people killed in balcony collapse near University of California in Berkeley | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Several Irish people have been been killed after a balcony collapsed at an apartment building in the US. | |
| Five people were killed and eight others injured when the fourth-floor balcony fell in Berkeley, California. | Five people were killed and eight others injured when the fourth-floor balcony fell in Berkeley, California. |
| They were reportedly at a 21st birthday party when the accident happened at accommodation popular with students of the nearby University of California. The balcony collapsed near the University of California in Berkeley | |
| It was unclear whether they had been studying at the famous university or were in the state on J1 visas, a common summer trip for young Irish people. | |
| Charlie Flanagan, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm that a number of young Irish citizens have lost their lives, while a number of others have been seriously injured following the collapse of a balcony in Berkeley, California, earlier today.” | Charlie Flanagan, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm that a number of young Irish citizens have lost their lives, while a number of others have been seriously injured following the collapse of a balcony in Berkeley, California, earlier today.” |
| He told RTÉ News that he believed all five people killed were Irish and that four had died at the scene and one in hospital. | |
| #breaking: debris from #berkeley balcony collapse. you can see clothing & drink cups. those injured look student-aged pic.twitter.com/qeQT9yMAIq | #breaking: debris from #berkeley balcony collapse. you can see clothing & drink cups. those injured look student-aged pic.twitter.com/qeQT9yMAIq |
| The balcony fell from the top of a four-storey building shortly after midnight local time, striking another balcony below it on its way to the ground, according to local reports. | The balcony fell from the top of a four-storey building shortly after midnight local time, striking another balcony below it on its way to the ground, according to local reports. |
| Many of the injured people have critical or life-threatening wounds, a spokesperson from the Berkeley Police Department said. | Many of the injured people have critical or life-threatening wounds, a spokesperson from the Berkeley Police Department said. |
| Developing: 5 people are dead and 8 others injured after a balcony collapsed in #Berkeley overnight pic.twitter.com/sHVaCmsNM2 | Developing: 5 people are dead and 8 others injured after a balcony collapsed in #Berkeley overnight pic.twitter.com/sHVaCmsNM2 |
| Firefighters and city officials are said to be on the scene, which was sealed off after the accident. | Firefighters and city officials are said to be on the scene, which was sealed off after the accident. |
| “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the deceased and those who have been injured in this appalling accident,” Mr Flanagan said. | “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the deceased and those who have been injured in this appalling accident,” Mr Flanagan said. |
| “My department in Dublin stands ready to provide all possible consular assistance to the Irish citizens affected by this tragedy.” | “My department in Dublin stands ready to provide all possible consular assistance to the Irish citizens affected by this tragedy.” |
| Anyone with concerns about friends or family in the Berkley region, should call the Emergency Consular Response Team on +353 1 418 0200 | Anyone with concerns about friends or family in the Berkley region, should call the Emergency Consular Response Team on +353 1 418 0200 |
| An investigation is underway into the cause of the collapse at the Library Gardens building on Kittredge Street. It has shops on the ground floor and apartments above. | An investigation is underway into the cause of the collapse at the Library Gardens building on Kittredge Street. It has shops on the ground floor and apartments above. |
| The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is working with Authorities in California and has set up a crisis centre and emergency phone line for anyone concerned about their family and friends. | The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is working with Authorities in California and has set up a crisis centre and emergency phone line for anyone concerned about their family and friends. |
| President Michael Higgins sent a message of condolence after hearing the new with "the greatest sadness" during a state visit to Italy. | President Michael Higgins sent a message of condolence after hearing the new with "the greatest sadness" during a state visit to Italy. |
| "My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those involved," he said. The apartment building is a short walk from the University of California building in Berkeley | "My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those involved," he said. The apartment building is a short walk from the University of California building in Berkeley |
| "I have been informed of the consular assistance being provided to assist all of the families involved and I have asked to be kept informed as further details emerge." | "I have been informed of the consular assistance being provided to assist all of the families involved and I have asked to be kept informed as further details emerge." |
| Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, added his sympathies over the tragedy. | Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, added his sympathies over the tragedy. |
| "Shocking news of the deaths of several young Irish people in a tragic accident in California. My heart and sympathy goes out to their families," he wrote on Twitter. | "Shocking news of the deaths of several young Irish people in a tragic accident in California. My heart and sympathy goes out to their families," he wrote on Twitter. |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |