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| Irish 'students' killed in balcony collapse near University of California in Berkeley | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Several Irish people, reported to be students, 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 | 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 work 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. | 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. |
| A video posted by GOD .. 1ST (@flvcko_bendito) on Jun 16, 2015 at 5:53am PDT | |
| The balcony fell from the top of a four-storey building shortly after midnight local time, striking another balcony below it on its way down, 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. |
| Photos from the scene showed the balconies' iron railings crushed one on top of the other and the ground below covered in bricks and debris, mingled with clothing, shoes and red cups. | |
| James Mullaney, 20, who lives in the same apartment block, described the balconies in the apartments as “small" and estimated that they hold a maximum of six people. The balcony where five Irish people died before it collapsed in Kittredge Street, Berkeley | |
| “We were asleep and woke up with the noise of the sirens, there were emergency crews everywhere and tv crews," he told the Irish Herald. | |
| “As soon as I saw all the emergency services, I just texted my mother to say ‘in case you hear anything, I’m grand’. She knew as soon as I woke up that I was ok.” | |
| Firefighters and city officials are conducting investigations at 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. Built in 2006, the complex 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 |