At least 10 people were injured when the wooden balcony of a third-floor apartment collapsed Friday evening in Cincinnati, Ohio, officials said. One person is in critical condition, according to officials.
Just before 10 p.m. local time, officials were dispatched to the collapse of an 8-by-12-foot balcony, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Some of the 10 injured were University of Cincinnati students, said fire department spokesperson Lindsay Haegele.
Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley told reporters that the balcony collapsed at an apartment complex in the Corryville neighborhood, located just off the campus of the University of Cincinnati.
Five of the people had serious injuries, while four had minor injuries, Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Stephen Bower said during a news conference. He described the building as a place where a lot of students live.
"They had a big exam today and they were celebrating," Bower said.
It was not immediately clear the number of people on the balcony when it collapsed. In photos and videos posted online, a balcony can be seen on the ground as fire and police officials work nearby.
The circumstances leading up to the collapse were still unknown.
"From what we're being told, it was a gathering, many of these individuals were students," McKinley said.
The University of Cincinnati is offering to help find homes for any displaced students and offering grief counseling, fire officials said in an Enquirer story.
The situation is under investigation and the university has been notified.
