9 Injured After Malibu Balcony Collapses Onto The Beach

MALIBU, CA — Nine people were injured after a balcony collapsed at a beachfront Malibu home Saturday night. Four people were taken to a hospital, with two of them in critical condition, according to multiple reports.

The collapse was reported about 5:30 p.m. at 20526 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.

A birthday party was underway at the Malibu property when the deck gave out, a witness told ABC7.

"[There were] probably like 10 people on the back deck and we heard a crack and I literally saw all of my best friends and my girlfriend fall 15 feet to the rocks," one man told the station.

Everyone who fell was evacuated off the beach — two were taken to trauma centers in critical condition and four others suffered less serious injuries, said L.A. County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Melanie Flores. Their identities were not released.

"Down below are jagged rocks, large rocks, so a very dangerous situation and fortunately, no one was hurt seriously or killed," Captain Ron Haralson, of the county fire department, told ABC7.

In addition to the two critical patients, four patients were taken to hospitals with less severe injuries and five people were treated at the scene, according to KCAL9.

The owner of the home told KCAL 9 that she rented the home for the weekend but the occupancy was meant to remain under six people. A neighbor called the homeowner to report that around 30 people were there.

The owner said she was on the phone ordering the tenants to leave when the collapse occurred, according to KCAL9.

Video broadcast from the scene showed the remnants of the balcony scattered on the rocky beach.

The City News Service contributed to this report.