I am shocked and saddened to hear of the balcony collapse in Berkeley, California. My heart breaks for the parents who lost children this morning. I can only imagine the fear in the hearts of other parents whose children are in California this summer as they seek to contact them. The telephone number of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is (01)4180200.
It is with great sadness that I confirm that a number of young Irish citizens have lost their lives, while a number of others have been seriously injured. It is truly terrible to have such a serious and sad incident take place at the beginning of a summer of adventure and opportunity for so many young people on J1 visas in the United States. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened its consular emergency response centre and an experienced consular team stands ready to provide all possible consular assistance for the Irish citizens affected by the this tragic incident and their families. Our consul general in San Francisco is in close contact with the authorities and will provide assistance for those affected on the ground.
It is too early to know the full extent of this dreadful accident. A full investigation is under way. According to information from the local police, 13 people were on the balcony at the time of the collapse. While there is no official confirmation of the identities or nationalities of all those involved, current information suggests all of those involved are Irish. I received a call from the ambassador of the United States to Ireland, Mr. Kevin O'Malley, who had many of the young J1 visa holders in the residence in the Phoenix Park prior to their departure to the United States. He has expressed his sadness and tendered the sympathy and condolences of the people of the United States to the people of Ireland, in particular the parents and families of the young people involved.
