Authorities in Berkeley, California have named the 6 Irish people who died when a balcony collapsed during a 21st birthday party this morning.

They've been named as Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Niccolai Schuster, Lorcan Miller and Eimear Walsh (all aged 21) and Irish-American woman Ashley Donohoe (22) from the nearby city of Rohnert Park. 

Ireland's Consul General Philip Grant said the first family members were arriving this evening. He called on the media to respect their privacy, and he praised the work of the local emergency services in dealing with the tragedy.

He said the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have been in constant contact.

At least 7 other people were injured in the accident at an apartment complex on Kittredge Street in the centre of the city.

Most of the casualties were from south Dublin and had a number had been attending UCD, which has expressed its sympathies to the families.

St Mary's Past Pupil Union have expressed sympathies via social media to 2012 graduates from the Rathmines school involved in the tragedy. Others among the victims are understood to have been 

Meanwhile, the City has ordered the property owner to perform a structural assessment of the remaining balconies within 48 hours.