Balcony collapse in California kills Irish citizens

ongarboy · 16-06-2015 01:24PM

Very sad and RIP to victims. I remember being in Chicago one summer about 10 years ago where a party was taking place in an upper floor apartment and the balcony was full of people out celebrating and it collapsed onto the apartment balcony below crushing/killing about 10 people and injuring many others. It was down to the balcony not being able to support the extra weight.

P_1 · 16-06-2015 01:24PM

Those comments on Fox are disgusting.

RIP to those killed and here's hoping that the injured make a full recovery

the_monkey · 16-06-2015 01:27PM

RIP, such a tragedy, should have been the best summer of their lives and now this ... just isn't fair.

Stheno · 16-06-2015 01:29PM

I sincerely hope the injured have decent health care cover.

mocha please! · 16-06-2015 01:31PM

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through.

And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

jon1981 · 16-06-2015 01:31PM

13 confirmed to be involved according to the Indo.

Speaking on RTE Radio, Minister Flanagan said that it was feared that all 13 are from Ireland although their identities have not been 100pc confirmed.

He also said that four died at the scene, and that the other death was confirmed in hospital. There are now grave concerns for some of those injured.

polydactyl · 16-06-2015 01:33PM

To the two posters who know people over there I hope its not the people you know! What a horrible tragedy at what should have been one of the best times of their lives.

happyoutscan · 16-06-2015 01:34PM

This is tragic. My thoughts are with everyone involved.

As for the comments on Fox, just the drolls of innate losers. Pathetic cretins.

Knex* · 16-06-2015 01:34PM

mocha please! wrote: »

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through. And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

I will say, bear in mind the time difference at the moment. Most people over there will still be in bed for another few hours. Its still only 5:30am.

Its normal to not be able to reach people there right now.

irish_man · 16-06-2015 01:36PM

I heard on the radio there that the families of those involved have already been contacted.

whiskeyman · 16-06-2015 01:36PM

mocha please! wrote: »

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through. And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

Try the below.
Hope all ok.

Anyone with concerns about friends or family in the region, should call the Emergency Consular Response Team on +353 1 418 0200.”

LadyFenghuang · 16-06-2015 01:37PM

irish_man wrote: »

I heard on the radio there that the families of those involved have already been contacted.

That's good I hope they avoid the media.

sunshine and showers · 16-06-2015 01:38PM

It's been confirmed by the Minister that all five dead are Irish.

Maybe OP could be edited to include emergency consular number for family and friends of those in the area to call?

Emergency Consular Response Team +353 1 418 0200

FootShooter · 16-06-2015 01:38PM

Some local news coverage:

- http://abc7news.com/news/5-dead-8-injured-in-balcony-collapse-in-berkeley/787649/
- http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/06/16/balcony-collapse-kills-5-wounds-8-more-in-berkeley/
- http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Berkeley-Balcony-Collapse-Kills-5-Hurts-8-Kittredge-Street--307546441.html
- http://kron4.com/2015/06/16/5-dead-after-berkeley-balcony-collapse/
- http://wn.ktvu.com/story/29329732/5-people-dead-8-hurt-after-berkeley-balcony-collapses
- http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Police-5-dead-8-injured-in-balcony-collapse-in-6329729.php
- http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_28316128/do-weary-cavaliers-have-enough-game-6

the nikkei is rising · 16-06-2015 01:39PM

If you can please spread that it's happened in Berkeley I'm just home from staying with friends in Huntington and two of their parents have called over to the house distraught, even though they're nowhere close.

Terrible situation, every irish person I met over there was just focused on having a good time and they were all willing to help out when it came to jobs and accommodation issues which a lot of people are running into on the west coast, really hope everyone else involved walks away from this.

gandalf · 16-06-2015 01:40PM

Dreadful news, students starting there summer at a party.

RIP and condolences to their families.

(I made the mistake in checking out the Foxnews website, what a sad bunch of hateful pondscum they are reveling in the deaths of young people like that!)

LadyFenghuang · 16-06-2015 01:41PM

mocha please! wrote: »

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through. And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

It's probably NOT the people you know. They are probably just fine.
Of course but I can't imagine we will find out anything. It's possibly best for you not to fret until information is out. Perhaps it's best not to read anything just yet.
Emergency Consular Response Team +353 1 418 0200
It would be the healthiest way to find out.

jon1981 · 16-06-2015 01:42PM

Some unhelpful comments on the Indo site saying the victims are from Dublin. I would suggest ignoring it until an official source confirms or denies.

P_1 · 16-06-2015 01:44PM

mocha please! wrote: »

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through. And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

Try not to stress yourself too much. California is 8 hours behind us, it's only 5:45 am there now. I'd imagine the reason you can't get through right now is because they're all asleep.

The consulate can be reached via 01 418 0200, give them a quick call to hopefully put your mind at ease.

LadyFenghuang · 16-06-2015 01:46PM

There is not a lot we can do. But with Chinese whispers there is a lot of harm we can do. It might be best to leave it to the authorities. There is not a lot else we can do except express condolences etc.

I think it's not good to whip up hype.

Ed Winchester · 16-06-2015 01:46PM

Unbelievably vile comments on the fox site. What is wrong with these arseholes? They're taking pleasure in this.
Beggars belief.

FootShooter · 16-06-2015 01:47PM

Someone on the reddit.com/r/ireland thread saying they were a group of DCU students that were at the party:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/3a10kr/a_number_of_irish_students_have_died_following_a/cs8aank

Egginacup · 16-06-2015 01:49PM

mocha please! wrote: »

My 21 year old cousin and four of her friends are over in California on a J1 right now. We haven't been able to make contact. If anyone gets any information at all on the names of the victims or what part of Ireland they were from, I'd really appreciate a PM, even if it can't be posted publicly. Thanks. She's an only child and I can't imagine what her parents are going through. And of course all the other families with children over there at the moment.

California is a huge place and J1-ers go all over... to LA, San Diego, Napa, Santa Monica, and of course San Fran. It's also still only about 4:30 or 5:00 am over there right now. Chances are that your people are asleep.

wil · 16-06-2015 01:51PM

Tragic news.
ABC reports it is near Kittredge and Harold.
Library gardens
Photos on Joe.ie , looks like it just dropped on to balcony below.

Heartfelt condolences to all

Boom_Bap · 16-06-2015 01:52PM

FootShooter wrote: »

Someone on the reddit.com/r/ireland thread saying they were a group of DCU students that were at the party:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/3a10kr/a_number_of_irish_students_have_died_following_a/cs8aank

Mod Note
Can we not start speculating here please

Miaireland · 16-06-2015 01:53PM

My heart goes out to the familes of those who have died and to the injuried and their families.

I am utterly shocked at the comments on Fox.

jon1981 · 16-06-2015 01:56PM

From the Indo.

Brian O'Reilly:
What we know:
Fourth floor balcony of apartment complex has collapsed
Five dead - All Irish
Four died at the scene and one later in hospital
Nine injured - All Irish
Some of those injured are still fighting for life.

16-06-2015 01:56PM

wil wrote: »

Tragic news.
ABC reports it is near Kittredge and Harold.
Library gardens
Photos on Joe.ie , looks like it just dropped on to balcony below.

Heartfelt condolences to all

It looks like the balcony flipped as it fell if you compare with google maps which would explain the horrendous loss of life and injuries. RIP

16-06-2015 01:56PM

What comments are people talking about?

Stargate · 16-06-2015 01:58PM

Miaireland wrote: »

My heart goes out to the familes of those who have died and to the injuried and their families.

I am utterly shocked at the comments on Fox.

Terrible terrible news... the poor families of the kids involved . Imagine the pain in your heart to hear such news and your kids so far from home.

Just ignore those hateful comments . We mourn the lost of our Irish students with dignity.

Balcony collapse in California kills Irish citizens

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