5 dead, 8 injured in California balcony collapse

BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) – Police in Berkeley, California have confirmed that five people died early Tuesday morning after a balcony collapsed at an apartment complex.

The accident happened around 12:41 a.m., according to Berkeley police spokeswoman officer Jennifer Coats.

Four people died at the scene, and one later died at the hospital.

There are eight confirmed people – both male and female – still being treated at different hospitals, some with life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The accident happened at a 21st birthday celebration, at the relatively new apartment building. Some of the party attendees were here for the summer on work visas, according to police.

Coats say officers were investigating and they don’t yet have any information on how it occurred or what the people were doing on the structure at the time.

The Irish government released a statement saying several of the victims are young people from Ireland.

Irish President Michael Higgins expressed “greatest sadness,” saying he learned of the incident while on an official visit to Italy.

“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those involved,” Higgins said.