Up To 20 Injured In Cincinnati Balcony Collapse As Mass Casualty Incident Declared

Cincinnati, Ohio — A balcony collapse near the University of Cincinnati left up to 20 people injured on Friday evening, prompting officials to declare a mass casualty incident and deploy extensive emergency resources.

The collapse occurred on the 230 block of Stetson Street, where witnesses said as many as 20 people were standing on a third-floor balcony when it suddenly gave way. The structure, roughly 20 feet above the ground, fell with multiple people crashing down onto the area below, according to local news outlet WLWT.

Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene, treating victims and rushing the injured to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that ten people were hospitalized, including five with serious injuries and one with life-threatening injuries.

First Responders Declare Mass Casualty Situation

Authorities from the Greater Cincinnati Police and Fire Chaplain Services said around 11 EMS transport units were dispatched to the scene. First responders worked rapidly to stabilize patients and clear the area as bystanders looked on in shock.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the balcony collapsing during what witnesses described as a social gathering or party. Moments later, onlookers rushed to pull people from the debris while emergency sirens filled the air.

Local reporter Sean MacKinnon of WLWT wrote on social media, “Everyone I’ve seen here are college-age. Multiple people were taken on gurneys to waiting ambulances.”

Injuries And Investigation

Witnesses said the victims appeared to be primarily students and young adults, as the building where the collapse occurred is a student apartment complex near campus. Emergency radio traffic indicated at least nine victims were transported by ambulance, though officials later updated the total casualty estimate to around 20.

Authorities declared the scene a “mass casualty incident” to ensure hospitals and medical teams could prepare for a high number of incoming patients. Crews remained on site late into the night, securing the building and inspecting nearby structures for signs of instability.

Cause Of Collapse Under Investigation

The exact cause of the balcony collapse remains under investigation by structural engineers and local building inspectors. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the balcony was overloaded or if there were any prior safety concerns with the structure.

City officials said they would work closely with University of Cincinnati representatives and property management to assess whether similar buildings in the area pose potential safety risks. “Our priority is to determine exactly what caused this failure and prevent anything like it from happening again,” an official statement read.

Community In Shock

As news spread across campus, students expressed disbelief and concern for their peers. “It’s terrifying,” one student told reporters. “You go to a gathering expecting to have fun, not end up in the hospital.”

Authorities have urged anyone with footage or firsthand accounts of the collapse to contact investigators as they reconstruct the event. Meanwhile, city officials are reminding residents to stay clear of the area until it’s deemed structurally safe.

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