Four people have been killed after a balcony collapsed during a student housewarming party in western France.
Authorities in the region of Maine-et-Loire said the third floor balcony of the apartment block in the centre of Angers collapsed late last night.
An Angers University Hospital spokesman said four people had been killed and 10 were being treated, one of whom was in a serious condition.
An initial investigation has found that there were 15 people on the balcony when it collapsed around 11pm.
It is believed that the balcony collapsed under the feet of the students during the party, causing them to fall 50 feet onto the street below.
The incident also caused two balconies below to fall to the ground.
Neighbours reported hearing a large thud and then several loud screams as emergency services scrambled to the scene.
Hospital duty manager Michael Pichon told France Info radio that all of the victims of the accident “were about 20-years-old, certainly students.”
The Ouest France news site reported that people on the balcony were attending a student housewarming party.
It has also stated that the victims are believed to be three men and one woman, who pronounced dead after being pulled from the rubble.
According to 24 Matins, the building is believed to be new and was constructed after 2000.
An emergency psychological response team has been deployed to help victims and witnesses suffering from shock.
A support centre has also been set up at the hospital and the Red Cross is also assisting the families involved.
This page is being updated.
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