The families of the Irish students who were killed when a balcony collapsed began arriving in California on Wednesday.
An investigation is underway at the Library Gardens Apartments in Berkeley, where tragedy struck at a 21st birthday celebration early Tuesday.
Three men and three women, all in their early 20s, died when the fourth-floor balcony gave way.
The five Irish students who died have been named as Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Niccolai Schuster, Lorcan Miller and Eimear Walsh, all 21. They were in the United States on short-term work visas.
The sixth victim, Ashley Donohoe, 22, had dual U.S.-Irish nationality and was from Rohnert Park, California. She was Olivia Burke’s cousin.
At least seven people were hospitalized Tuesday with serious injuries.
Ireland planned to pay its respects to the victims Wednesday, with flags flying at half-staff over public buildings. A minute’s silence will be observed in the Irish Parliament.
University College Dublin, where some of those who died were students, has opened an online book of condolence.
Heartbreak at Dublin university
“On behalf of the entire University community, I wish to extend our condolences to the families and friends of those who died and to those who were injured,” said University College Dublin President Andrew Deeks.
“We cannot comprehend the desperate shock and grief they are feeling and we are heartbroken at their suffering and loss.
“Our students, like thousands of others across Ireland, head to the U.S. each summer on J1 visas to enjoy the experience.
“It is heart-breaking to imagine that such a tragedy would strike these wonderful students when their lives are opening up to discover the world.”
He added that the University of California, Berkeley, had offered its counseling services to the Irish students in the area.
A second book of condolence will be made available to sign in Dublin on Thursday.
Prayers for the injured
Two of the dead, Schuster and Culligan, were former students at St Mary’s College, in Rathmines, Dublin, graduating in 2012.
A notice on its homepage read: “The thoughts and prayers of everybody in the St Mary’s Community are with the families of Niccolai and Eoghan, and the other Irish youngsters who died or were injured in the heartbreaking accident in the United States yesterday.
“We also pray particularly for those being treated in hospital, and their families, many of whom are traveling today to the U.S.”
Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said a consular emergency line had received an “unprecedented volume” of calls Tuesday afternoon.
“This demonstrates that this is an incident that has touched many Irish families — not just those whose sons and daughters were actually there, but all families who have a loved one traveling this summer,” he said.
“Anyone with concerns about friends or family in the region should call the Emergency Consular Response Team on +353 1 418 0200.”
