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Irish students among 5 dead after accident in Berkeley, California

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A number of young Irish citizens have been killed following a tragic accident in Berkeley, California. 

Police are reporting that five people have died and another eight have been left injured following the collapse of a balcony on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Berkeley is one of many areas of California popular with Irish college students as a summer destination.

Local media are reporting that the victims are all aged between 20 and 25.

It's believed that the 21st birthday party of an Irish visitor was taking place in the apartment at the time of the accident, which occurred around 12.40am local time (8.40am Irish time).

The building in question has been named as Liberty Gardens, used as student accommodation for UC Berkeley students during term time. Apartments like this are often rented out to J1 students during the summer months. The fourth floor balcony is believed to have collapsed, with debris falling to the sidewalk.

Officer Jennifer Coats, a spokeswoman with the Berkeley Police Department, said that many of the injured have critical, life-threatening wounds.

Ms Coats said police were working with the fire department and city officials to confirm what exactly caused the collapse.

The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan, today confirmed that Irish people were among those killed in the accident, and said his department were working closely with Ireland's Consul General in San Francisco to provide assistance to those affected and to families at home in Ireland.

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

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