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Irish 'students' killed in balcony collapse near University of California in Berkeley Five Irish students killed in balcony collapse at 21st birthday party in Berkeley, California
(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 Irish students have been been killed after a balcony collapsed during a party at an apartment building in the US.
Five people were killed and eight others injured when the fourth-floor balcony fell in Berkeley, California. They were reportedly standing on the structure when it fell from a fourth-floor flat in Berkley, California, plunging them 40ft to the ground.
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 Eight others were injured, some critically, in the accident shortly after midnight local time.
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. The students were 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
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, Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister, confirmed the tragedy involved Irish students who were in America for the summer on J1 working visas.
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. "It's an appalling tragedy, an appalling loss of life for young people whose hopes and dreams of the future have suddenly and without notice been shattered," he said.
"There are a number of other students in the apartment at what I understand to have been a 21st birthday party who have been injured. They are being treated at a nearby hospital."
He told RTÉ News that four students had died at the scene and one in hospital, all aged between 20 and 22.
A video posted by GOD .. 1ST (@flvcko_bendito) on Jun 16, 2015 at 5:53am PDTA 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.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.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 James Mullaney, 20, who lives in the same apartment block, described the balconies as “small" and estimated that they hold a maximum of six people.
“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. “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.” “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.” The balcony where five Irish people died before it collapsed in Kittredge Street, Berkeley
Jerry Robinson, who lives nearby, told San Francisco news station KGO-TV that he was on his way home from the cinema when two hysterical people flagged down his car asking for a ride to hospital to check on their injured friends.
"They were all trying to notify parents, and things like that," he said.
"They were trying to figure out from each other who was on the balcony and what their condition was."
Firefighters and city officials are conducting investigations at the scene, which was sealed off after the accident.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 0200Anyone 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.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 news 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.
"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." The apartment building is a short walk from the University of California building in Berkeley
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.
The US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O'Malley, offered his "heartfelt sympathy and condolence" to the victims' friends and relatives.
He added: "All of us at the United States Embassy are greatly saddened by news of this tragic incident and are ready to do whatever we can to assist the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs at this difficult time."
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies