This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
On Saturday, July 27, 2019, a devastating balcony collapse occurred at the Coyote Ugly club in Gwangju, South Korea, near the athletes' village where the world swimming championships were taking place.
According to local police, two people lost their lives, and 16 others were injured, including eight athletes participating in the championships.
The balcony, which was approximately five meters (16 feet) above the ground, gave way under the weight of party-goers, sending terrified clubbers running for their lives.
"An internal balcony collapsed at a club in Gwangju, killing two," said Song Gi-ju, a detective with the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency.
Among the injured athletes were three Americans, two New Zealanders, one Dutch, one Brazilian, and one Italian.
Police are investigating the possibility that the balcony may have been illegally constructed.
"A structure collapsed all of a sudden with people standing on it. Screams filled the area with broken parts flying all over," said a 32-year-old party-goer, surnamed Kim, who was injured in the collapse.
The world championships organizing committee reported that the eight athletes were treated for minor injuries and have returned to their accommodation.
"This is an awful tragedy," said Christopher Ramsey, CEO of USA Water Polo.
