UPDATE: Sixth Death Confirmed, Seven Injured After Berkeley Balcony Collapses

Update at 9:15 a.m.

The Alameda County Coroner has confirmed that a sixth person has died as a result of injuries from the balcony collapse.

The names of the victims have not been released.

• Ireland Shocked By ‘Appalling Tragedy’ in Berkeley

Update at 8 a.m.:

A number of Irish citizens were among the five people who died and eight who were injured when a balcony collapsed early this morning at an apartment complex in Berkeley, according to police and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Berkeley police received a report at 12:41 a.m. about the incident at 2020 Kittredge St., the location of the Library Gardens apartment complex.

Charlie Flanagan, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, confirmed in a statement that “a number of young Irish citizens have lost their lives while a number of others have been seriously injured following the collapse of a balcony in Berkeley.”

“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the deceased and those who have been injured in this appalling accident,” Flanagan said. He said Ireland’s consul general in San Francisco is working with the local authorities and will be providing assistance to affected Irish citizens.

Police are working with building inspectors to figure out what caused the collapse, Berkeley police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats said.

Original story posted at 5 a.m.:

Police and firefighters are responding to an apartment building in Berkeley this morning where a balcony collapsed, killing five people and injuring eight others.

At 12:41 a.m., police received a report of the incident at 2020 Kittredge St., according to Berkeley police spokeswoman Jennifer Coates. Police are working with building inspectors to figure out what caused the collapse, Coates said.

Multiple media outlets, including the Irish Times, are reporting that Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Charlie Flanagan has confirmed several of the victims are Irish citizens.

According to the Irish Times, the students, visiting California on J1 visas for the summer, were believed to have been celebrating a birthday at the time of the accident.

The Irish Foreign Ministry took to Twitter to urge Irish students in Berkeley to contact their friends and family.

@dfatirl tweeted, “If you are on a #J1 in #Berkeley, California, please contact your family/friends to let them know you are safe.”

The Union of Students in Ireland, which represents 250,000 Irish students, released a statement via Facebook this morning following the tragedy in Berkeley.

The Union of Students in Ireland is shocked and deeply saddened at the news that a number of young Irish citizens have lost their lives in a serious incident in Berkeley, California.

Initial reports say that a balcony collapse has resulted in the loss of five lives and injured eight.

Laura Harmon, USI President, said:

‘’The thoughts and sympathies of the whole student movement in Ireland are today with the families and friends of those young people caught up in this terrible event. We are anxiously awaiting further information from the authorities.’’

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

By Bay City News and Autumn Johnson

Photo 2 courtesy Instagram user @gelidumbra

Photo 1 courtesy alexsavidgektvu via Instagram

Map courtesy Google Maps