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A Christmas party at a Melbourne house turned to tragedy after a balcony collapsed, killing two women and leaving more than a dozen injured.

Up to 30 people were believed to be on the balcony taking a group photo at the Doncaster East house when it collapsed on Saturday night.

Sadly a 59-year-old Croydon woman died at the scene while a Reservoir woman, 37, died in hospital on Sunday morning.

Neighbours were shocked at the horror accident and did what they could to help the injured.

“The crash was biblical, the sound of it was nothing I’ve heard before,” Andrew Stone told reporters.

“People were bringing out chairs, and pillows and blankets and things like that just to help out the people who were injured,” he said.

The balcony collapse prompted a major emergency services response with police, firefighters and paramedics swarming to the “chaotic” scene.

“This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time,” Ambulance Victoria’s state health commander Paul Holman said.

The balcony collapsed during what is believed to be a Christmas party for Tupperware sales consultants.

Homeowners are now being encouraged to inspect their properties thoroughly

Building inspectors attended the home on Sunday to assess the damage, the tragedy prompting a warning from industry experts who want all homeowners to ensure their properties are safe.

Melbourne architect Peter Georgiev said in particular, “old timber balconies built ‘70s, 80s, 90s, are vulnerable to these sorts of collapses” needed to be looked at.

Share your comments below.

Image via 7 news

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  • If this photo was taken on the balcony it looks as though there was small gaps in floor of it. The timber may not have been suitable for outdoor exposure for too long. Possibly there wasn’t enough support under the floor to support it. A tragedy like this should never have happened but it sounds as though it was build the same as most were during that era. Hopefully other people will have theirs checked to stop more tragedies like this happening.

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  • Wow, that’s horrible, especially at this time of the year.

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  • Very sad for all involved and a caution to others to never take anything for granted. :(

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  • wow very sad and unexpected! you wouldn’t think about that happening or even suspect to check it out, to prevent it

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  • A beautiful Christmastime event turned into such a sad tragedy – RIP the ladies who lost their lives and sending healing thoughts to the others involved.

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  • oh my goodness, how sad :( My thoughts are with all who were involved and to the families that lost a loved one.

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  • This must have been very scary and traumatic to those involved, so tragic !

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  • This is so tragic.
    It would a group of Tupperware consultants having their Christmas party.
    My thoughts are with those who are affected

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  • Not the sort of tragedy which is easily foreseeable.

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  • I saw this on the news last night. Its so awful. Condolences to the family.

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  • MY deepest sympathy for all concerned.

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  • My heart goes out to all the families this has damaged

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  • How terrible for all the people involved. And those two poor women.. :-(

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