Seats On Flights To Ireland Needed For Families Of Students Killed In Berkeley Balcony Collapse

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- Airline seats on flights back to Ireland are needed for the families of the Irish students killed in the Berkeley balcony collapse Tuesday.

A plea went out Friday from the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center in San Francisco for anyone willing to give up their seats this weekend for AerLingus flights from San Francisco International Airport back to Dublin.

KNTV reports that families hope to bury their children back in Ireland on Sunday or Monday.

One student is from California and will be buried Saturday.

Six students were killed Tuesday when the apartment complex balcony they were standing on in Berkeley collapsed.

Seven others remained hospitalized. Their conditions were not available on Friday.

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts for the families of the victims reached more than $250,000.

Anyone willing to help should call the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center.