6 Dead, 7 Injured After Berkeley Balcony Collapse During 21st Birthday Party

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BERKELEY (KPIX) — A balcony collapsed early Tuesday morning, killing six people and wounding at least seven who plunged from several stories up.

Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan told reporters in Dublin that at least five of those killed were Irish students in the U.S. on temporary visas. He said a 21st birthday party was underway in the building at the time of the accident.

It happened on a fourth floor apartment at the Library Gardens apartment complex at 2020 Kittredge Street, about a block from the UC campus, just before 1 a.m.

Berkeley Fire Department and Berkeley Police responded to treat the wounded and manage traffic through the area.

Many of the wounded may have severe, even life threatening injuries, and authorities say the number of injured may rise, but at least 13 were on the balcony when it gave way.

“It’s a difficult scene,” said Berkeley police spokeswoman Jennifer Coates. “Unfortunately it’s going to be a more difficult day for the family of the victims that were involved in this.”

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