CINCINNATI — Ten people were hospitalized, including one person in critical condition, after a balcony collapsed Friday night near the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati police said.
The Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD) said that an 8-foot by 12-foot porch at an apartment complex on Stetson Street collapsed 20 feet to the ground below due to the weight of too many people.
WATCH: Here's the latest on what we know about the balcony collapse
Of those injured, CFD said one is in critical condition, while the rest have non-life-threatening injuries. Police told us Friday that seven of the victims were taken to UC Medical Center, two people went to Good Samaritan Hospital and one person went to Christ Hospital. CFD said other victims may have self-transported to hospitals.
"It was a very chaotic scene very early on in the incident," said CFD Chief Frank McKinley.
BREAKING: Multiple people taken away on gurneys from what witness tell me was balcony collapse at apartments by UC Health. Those taken away appear to college age. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/8DfHMHwfwh
— Jay-Juan Shakur Jones (@iamjayshakur) October 18, 2025
While the identities of those involved aren't known, neighbors tell us that many were UC medical students.
A spokesperson for the university sent us the following statement:
"We are working to identify and to provide support to all students directly affected by last night’s events. While the incident occurred off campus, the university’s Dean of Students office is offering affected students the opportunity to be temporarily rehoused if they prefer. In addition, counseling support and resources are also being offered with both in-person and virtual options available starting today."
We went back out to the area Saturday afternoon, where remnants of the collapse still remained.
We spoke to UC junior Serenity Pastor, who lives in the complex next door. She said she was watching TV when she heard the balcony collapse.
“We just see like people piled up on top of each other," Pastor said.
Pastor said she was shocked at the scene she saw when she went to see what had happened.
“I started to see the magnitude of the injuries when they started like taking them out in stretchers and stuff," Pastor said.
CFD is continuing to investigate the incident. McKinley said there is no concern for other units in the apartment complex.
