BERKELEY (KRON) — Berkeley city officials have removed the balcony below the one that collapsed and killed six people early Tuesday morning because it was unsafe and presented a collapse hazard.
The city’s building and safety division ordered the property owner to remove the balcony within 24 hours. The balcony at Unit 305 is directly below the failed balcony at Unit 405 from which 13 people plunged about 40 feet onto the street below. Four people died at the scene, two died later at the hospital.
“A field investigation by City of Berkeley building inspectors determined that the 3rd floor exterior balcony to Unit 305 at 2020 Kittredge was structurally unsafe and presented a collapse hazard,” said Matthai K. Chakko, a City of Berkeley spokesperson.
Two other balconies at The Library Gardens apartments also have been red-tagged, meaning access is prohibited. It’s unclear why they have been red-tagged.
Tuesday’s accident happened around 12:41 a.m. during a 21st birthday celebration inside an apartment, according to Berkeley police spokeswoman officer Jennifer Coats.
Five 21-year-old Irish students who were in the U.S. on work visas were killed along with a 22-year-old Rohnert Park woman.
There are several more victims – both male and female – still being treated at different hospitals, some with life-threatening injuries.