Berkeley tragedy: Balcony collapsed due to dry rot of the supporting wooden beams, it has been confirmed – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Berkeley tragedy: Balcony collapsed due to dry rot of the supporting wooden beams, it has been confirmed




balconyrot

The official cause of the balcony collapse that killed six Irish students has been revealed.

The timber in eight of the supporting beams showed signs of significant dry rot, which led to their failure when the group of people stood on the balcony.

The building was only commissioned in 2007, and the specifications for the timber beams called for a supported weight of almost two tonnes.

However, dry rot had set in, and the beams failed at 12.41am on June 16, sending six young lives to their doom. Seven other students sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalised in the United States.

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