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Flash: Coroner Confirms Sixth Death in Berkeley Balcony Collapse

Dan McMenamin
Tuesday June 16, 2015 - 10:59:00 AM

The Alameda County coroner's bureau has confirmed a sixth person has died as a result of a balcony collapse at an apartment complex in Berkeley early this morning. 

Berkeley police received a report of the incident at 12:41 a.m. at 2020 Kittredge St., the location of the Library Gardens apartment complex. Along with the six people who died, seven others were injured in the collapse, police said. 

Among the dead were a number of Irish citizens, according to Ireland foreign affairs officials. 

Charlies 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 city building inspectors to figure out what caused the collapse, Berkeley police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats said. 

Employees at Library Gardens did not immediately respond to requests to comment on the incident this morning.