Six killed and seven injured in balcony collapse near UC Berkeley
Six individuals died while seven others were seriously injured after the fifth-floor balcony of a stucco apartment building collapsed during a 21st birthday party on June 16, according to WANE.
Five of the deceased party-goers were 21-year-old Ireland nationals who were visiting the United States on J-1 visas, which make it possible for young individuals to work and travel in the country over the summer. The sixth person was a California native, local authorities said.
Federal regulators will investigate whether the balcony was built following building standards, whether it was overloaded at the time of the crash, or if weather weakened the stability of the balcony, said Structural Engineers Association of California structural standards committee chairman Kevin Moore. According to Moore, weather may play a factor because balconies can experience deterioration due to rain. City inspectors have told residents not to use the balconies in the wake of the fatal balcony collapse until they are fully inspected for safety.