Two women have died and 17 people have been injured after a balcony collapsed in Melbourne last night.
#DoncasterEast balcony collapse, Victoria, Australia. pic.twitter.com/wo91Qq4Qfk
— Emergency.Life (@Emergency_Life) December 16, 2017
It is believed more than 30 people were on the balcony at a house in the suburb of Doncaster East when it gave way.
A 59-year-old woman died at the scene, while a 37-year-old woman who was critically injured died in hospital this morning.
A number of others are in hospital with lacerations and broken bones.
It is understood the people were on the balcony trying to take a photo when it collapsed.
Neighbour Andrew Stone said he was watching television when he heard a loud crashing noise "like a tree being felled".
"I got up and came out to the street, because I knew it wasn't right, and that point a woman was sort of in hysteria - she'd come out and she was yelling 'oh my god, oh my god'," Mr Stone said.
"People started coming out [of the house] with visible blood, injuries, clearly distressed, lying down on the grass and obviously receiving first aid.
"It's one of those things that you don't think about, obviously, hosting a nice Christmas break-up.
"When I got home, the atmosphere from it was really good - people were laughing and having a really good time so for that to happen is unbelievable."
Acting Superintendent Kerin Moloney said it appeared to be an accident.
"This is a tragic incident that has been magnified by the fact we are only one week away from Christmas," he said.
Paul Holman from Ambulance Victoria said it was a chaotic scene which required a major emergency management response.
He said more than 12 ambulances were called to the property.
