Balcony collapses in South Korea near swimming meet, killing two

GWANGJU, South Korea — Athletes competing in the FINA swimming world championships were dancing at a nightclub early Saturday when an interior structure collapsed, reportedly killing two people and injuring more than a dozen others.

Two South Koreans reportedly died when an interior balcony collapsed inside the club around 2 a.m., according to Reuters. Media reports have confirmed that water polo athletes from the United States, Australia and New Zealand were among those at the nightclub. It wasn’t clear how many athletes suffered injuries in the accident; South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported at least nine athletes, including four Americans, were among the injured, but no one was seriously hurt.

A spokesman for USA Water Polo declined to comment on any injuries out of “respect to athlete privacy” but said Saturday morning that all American water polo athletes “are safe and accounted for.” The U.S. women’s team concluded its tournament Friday, winning the world title over Spain.

“This is an awful tragedy,” said Christopher Ramsey, CEO of USA Water Polo, in a statement. “Players from our men’s and women’s teams were celebrating the women’s world championship victory when the collapse occurred at a public club. Our hearts go out to the victims of the crash and their families.”

A USA Swimming spokeswoman said no American swimmers were at the club.

The nightclub is near the athletes’ village, a recently constructed area that features two dozen high-rise buildings housing 4,000 athletes and officials during this month’s biannual championships, which has brought the world’s best swimmers, divers, water polo athletes and synchronized swimmers to Gwangju.