Host Eve Nunn shared this photograph from last year's Christmas party. Photo / Supplied
Host Eve Nunn shared this photograph from last year's Christmas party. Photo / Supplied
The balcony collapse that killed two women in Melbourne at the weekend was the result of a Christmas photo gone terribly wrong, a neighbour has revealed.
Describing the crash as "biblical", Andrew Stone said the group of about 30 people had gathered on the balcony of the Doncaster East home to take a group photo.
The railing of the large balcony remained intact, but its wooden floor gave in under the group's weight causing partygoers to fall and become trapped underneath.
The damage from above. Picture: via Seven News
A 59-year-old Croydon woman died at the scene and a Reservoir woman, 37, died in hospital on Sunday morning.
The balcony collapsed during what is believed to have been a Christmas party for Tupperware sales consultants.
Victoria Police are seen outside a property in Doncaster East, Melbourne where the balcony collapsed. Photo / AAP
The rental property had been the location of the same party last year. A post to host Eve Nunn's Facebook page shows a group photo from the event, with about 30 guests gathered on the balcony.
It is believed the photo was taken at last year's Christmas party from the same Tupperware group.
Ten women and seven men, aged between 20 and 69, were taken to hospital and treated for soft tissue injuries, fractures and lacerations.
About a dozen others were treated by paramedics at the scene.
Neighbours were shocked at the horror accident.
"The crash was biblical. The sound of it was nothing like I had heard before," Mr Stone told reporters at the scene.
The balcony collapsed during what is believed to have been a Christmas party for Tupperware sales consultants. Photo / AAP
"People were bringing out chairs and pillows and blankets and things like that just to help out the people who were injured."
A guest at the party Jade Moana wrote on Facebook she was "tired, sore & shaken", and said she and her husband were "both grateful to be here".
The balcony collapse prompted a major emergency services response with police, firefighters and paramedics swarming to the "chaotic" scene.
"This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time," Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman said.
Host Eve Nunn shared this photograph from last year's Christmas party. Photo / Supplied
A number of Tupperware cars remained parked outside the house on Sunday morning, while Christmas lights were still on at the home's entrance.
Tupperware products are marketed directly to buyers by a network of sales people and the brand has become synonymous with food storage containers.
Police are investigating the collapse and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Millions of people in Queensland and New South Wales have been warned to brace for days without power after Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall later this week.
