Memorial Honors Victims of Berkeley Balcony Collapse

Heartbroken family members have begun arriving in the US following their long trip from Ireland, here to claim the bodies of their loved ones killed in Tuesday’s collapse of an apartment balcony in Berkeley. The death toll stands at six, with seven more hospitalized with serious injuries.

More family members will arrive today. Five of the six killed were students visiting from Ireland, while the sixth was Irish-American—22-year-old Ashley Donohoe of Rohnert Park. She was the cousin of another victim.

In Ireland, flags are flying at half-staff where the nation is shaken by the tragedy a half-world away. Family members are being gently escorted through their journey to America, with consulate staff attending to them every step of the way.

The Irish consulate in San Francisco has flown in additional staff to accommodate the needs of families and students. UC Berkeley has offered counseling services to anyone needing help in dealing with the tragedy.

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Charlie Flanagan said in a statement, “We are also conscious that many Irish students were not physically injured, but were left deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of friends and classmates in this terrible accident. The consulate has worked with local authorities in Berkeley to set up an incident center in Berkeley, where grief counselors will be on site and people will also have facilities to make phone calls home.”

The jarring site of the severed 4th floor balcony is gone—it was removed by a crane Tuesday. The area of the collapse remains cordoned off as plans are underway to inspect the structural integrity of the remaining balconies. There are reports that the third floor balcony, which caught the severed balcony, will be removed today.

Investigators are still combing through the scene to determine the cause of the collapse.

Meanwhile a memorial of flowers, Irish flags, a map of Ireland, a ceramic angel and more mementos continues to grow just beyond police barricades.

University College Dublin, which sponsored the students, has set up a Book of Condolences.

--Image shared by @calballgirl via Instagram used with permission