French balcony collapses during party, 4 killed, 14 injured

A third-floor balcony collapsed during a party in the western French city of Angers, killing four people and injuring 14 others, authorities said.

The collapse happened Saturday night at an apartment in a recently constructed building, the Angers prefecture said. One of the injured is in serious condition.

The victims were three men and a woman aged 18 to 25, according to the Angers' prosecutor, Yves Gambert. Seven people remained hospitalized on Sunday afternoon, he added. About 30 people had gathered in the apartment for a housewarming party when the balcony "suddenly collapsed", he said.

An investigation has been opened to establish the cause of the collapse. A building expert went to the site, Gambert said.
 

Michel Pichon, the director on duty at the Angers teaching hospital, told Franceinfo radio-television station that the injured were all about 20 years old.