It is believed more than 30 people were on balcony at Doncaster East house when it collapsed, trapping people underneath

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Two women are dead and 17 people are injured after a balcony collapsed during a Tupperware Christmas party at a Melbourne house.

It is believed more than 30 people were on the balcony at the Doncaster East house when it collapsed on Saturday night, trapping several people underneath.

A 59-year-old Croydon woman died at the scene while a Reservoir woman, 37, died in hospital on Sunday morning.

The balcony collapsed during what is believed to be a Christmas party for Tupperware sales consultants.

Ten women and seven men, aged between 20 and 69, were taken to hospitals with soft tissue injuries, fractures and lacerations.

About a dozen people were treated by paramedics at the scene at Balinga Court but did not require hospitalisation.

“This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time,” Paul Holman, Ambulance Victoria’s state health commander, said.

Firefighters helped to rescue people who were trapped under the collapsed balcony, an MFB spokeswoman said.

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.