Los Angeles---Six young Irish nationals died in the early hours Tuesday when a fourth-floor apartment balcony collapsed during a 21st birthday party in the California university town of Berkeley, authorities said.
At least seven people were injured, with some in critical condition, after the tragedy at a building located two blocks from the University of California, Berkeley campus, local media and officials said.
Most of those involved were Irish students from University College Dublin, Ireland's largest university, on the J1 work-study visa program, which allows them to teach, study, conduct research and work legally during their stay in the United States.
The Alameda County coroner's office confirmed that six people died.
- 'My heart breaks:' PM -
"My heart breaks for the parents who have lost children," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny told parliament.
He said 13 people had been on the balcony at the time, citing police.
The structure collapsed shortly after police received a phone call complaining about a noisy gathering.
"It is truly terrible to have such a serious and sad incident take place at the beginning of summer of adventure and opportunity for so many young people on J1 visas in the United States," Kenny said.
He said he had spoken with US ambassador to Ireland Kevin O'Malley, who expressed the United States' condolences.
Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said that the families of the dead had been contacted.
Media there identified the dead as aged 21-22 and University College Dublin said most of the deceased and injured were from there.
"It is with deepest sadness that I speak of the tragic accident involving UCD students and their friends in San Francisco," college president Andrew Deeks said.
"Our students, like thousands of others across Ireland, head to the US each summer on J1 visas to enjoy the experience.
"It is heart-breaking to imagine that such a tragedy would strike these wonderful students when their lives are opening up to discover the world."
A consular emergency response line was activated for those seeking information about loved ones.
Berkeley Police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats told AFP that officers received a call just before 1:00 am (0800 GMT).
Pictures in local media showed the balcony detached from its spot on the apartment building's exterior wall, with its railings sitting atop a balcony one floor below.
AFP
