London theater balcony collapses, causing major casualties

On the evening of December 19, part of the balcony at the Apollo Theater in London's West End suddenly collapsed, trapping many theatergoers inside and injuring several pedestrians outside.

London police said about 7 people were seriously injured in this balcony collapse. (Photo: sbs.com.au)

The accident occurred at around 8pm on December 19 (3am on December 20 Hanoi time). Rescue efforts are underway, but sources from the London Metropolitan Police and rescue forces said more than 88 people were injured.

Some of the audience members who escaped said that part of the balcony collapsed while the audience was watching the play, and many initially thought it was part of the play. Other witnesses said that many people were injured and that the scene inside the theater was chaotic.

The scene of the accident has been cordoned off and firefighters have been deployed to prevent the risk of fire or explosion from the accident.

The Apollo Theatre opened more than a century ago (in February 1901) with 755 seats. The balcony on the third floor of the theatre is considered to have the steepest slope of any theatre in London.

It is not yet clear whether that is the collapsed part or not./