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Knightsbridge balcony collapse: Two dead, eight injured | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two men have died and six other people have been injured after part of a balcony collapsed in west London. | |
Railings on the balcony of a building at Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge, collapsed at about 10:00 GMT, London Ambulance Service (LAS) said. | |
The men who died were believed to be workmen, according to Scotland Yard. | The men who died were believed to be workmen, according to Scotland Yard. |
Eight people were treated for injuries with one man dying at the scene and another dying after being taken to hospital, LAS said. | Eight people were treated for injuries with one man dying at the scene and another dying after being taken to hospital, LAS said. |
Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands believes the deceased were removal men. | Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands believes the deceased were removal men. |
He tweeted: "Balcony collapse in Cadogan Sq. Just spoke with Cadogan Ests [Cadogan Estates, a property company], not their property, but believe balcony broke when the removal men were moving a sofa out and the combined weight might have broken it. | |
"Casualties were removal staff. My thoughts are with their families." | "Casualties were removal staff. My thoughts are with their families." |
A neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BBC News: "They were trying to pull a couch up to the first floor apartment with ropes. Was apparently too heavy. The fence broke off and fell on the workmen below." | A neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, told BBC News: "They were trying to pull a couch up to the first floor apartment with ropes. Was apparently too heavy. The fence broke off and fell on the workmen below." |
At the scene: BBC reporter Duncan Smith | At the scene: BBC reporter Duncan Smith |
"It has happened in a classic, red-brick square in an exclusive part of Knightsbridge. | "It has happened in a classic, red-brick square in an exclusive part of Knightsbridge. |
"There is police tape in front of several houses with police officers inside the cordon. | "There is police tape in front of several houses with police officers inside the cordon. |
"The balcony above a police tent is missing the decorative, wrought iron railings featured in the neighbouring properties. | "The balcony above a police tent is missing the decorative, wrought iron railings featured in the neighbouring properties. |
"There are no emergency sirens here, just an eerie silence." | "There are no emergency sirens here, just an eerie silence." |
Cadogan Square is made up of residential properties, with many of the buildings divided into flats. | |
The first-floor balcony is believed to have been connected to property number 37, a five-storey terraced building. | |
The iron railing appears to have fallen about 10m (33ft) to the ground although the stone base of the balcony looks undamaged. | |
A number of long ropes are hanging from the balcony to the ground where plastic sheets are gathered. | |
A police tent has been erected on the pavement below and the street has been closed to the public. | |
A LAS spokesman said: "Sadly, a man died at the scene. | A LAS spokesman said: "Sadly, a man died at the scene. |
"We sent three ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, the hazardous response team and a London air ambulance. | "We sent three ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, the hazardous response team and a London air ambulance. |
"We treated eight people. Every effort was made to resuscitate a patient. | "We treated eight people. Every effort was made to resuscitate a patient. |
"Another man was taken to St Mary's Hospital." | "Another man was taken to St Mary's Hospital." |
Police are in the process of identifying the dead men's next of kin while an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances. | Police are in the process of identifying the dead men's next of kin while an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances. |
The Health and Safety Executive and the local authority have been informed. | The Health and Safety Executive and the local authority have been informed. |
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