Five Irish students who died in Berkeley were celebrating a 21st birthday party

The tragedy occurred when a fourth-floor balcony of an apartment building collapsed


Five Irish students have died after a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, says up to nine other Irish students are seriously injured.

The tragedy occurred shortly before 1am local time - 9am in Ireland - when a fourth-floor balcony of an apartment building collapsed.

An emergency response line has been opened - anyone with concerns about friends or family in the region, should call 01- 418 0200.

Minister Flanagan says the students - who are in the United States on J1 visas - were celebrating a 21st birthday party:

UPDATE: A sixth person is understood to have been pronounced dead following the accident. This was confirmed following a statement from the Alameda County coroner's office.

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