Terrifying moment packed balcony collapses in Malibu captured on video

Yaron Steinbuch

Terrifying video captured the moment a Malibu beach house balcony packed with partygoers collapsed onto the sand and rocks below – wounding nearly a dozen people, two critically, according to reports.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene along the Pacific Coast Highway shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, KABC reported.

Witnesses told the news outlet that they had gathered for a birthday party when the accident occurred.
“(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 KABC. “It was a freak accident. I don’t know how that happens…the deck literally just gave out.”

A total of nine people were evaluated for injuries, including four who were taken to the hospital. Two suffered critical injuries, officials said.

The owner of the home who rented out the residence told CBS Los Angeles that she learned from neighbors that there were about 30 people at the home, far more than the six who were allowed to be there.

She said she spent three hours trying to get the young people to leave before the crowded deck collapsed, sending them plunging about 15 feet below.

The owner said that in addition to the deck collapse, her house had been vandalized.   

Fire officials said there were more than 15 people on the deck when it collapsed. The Fire Department has declared the house uninhabitable.

Yaron Steinbuch, New York Post, May 10, 2021 – 9h59am