A Christmas party which ended in disaster after a backyard balcony collapsed, killing two women, had been held at exactly the same location the previous year.
Chris and Eve Nunn were hosting an end-of-year party for their Tupperware business when their timber balcony gave way as 30 guests reportedly posed for a selfie.
The horrific accident killed two women, aged 37 and 59, and left 17 others injured at their home in Doncaster East, in Melbourne’s northeast, in the early hours of Sunday.
And it is now believed the group were recreating a haunting photo from the previous year’s party which showed many guests smiling as they posed on the same balcony.
A group selfie image (pictured) taken at last year’s Christmas party on the very same balcony is a haunting portrait of the doomed party-goers
Chris and Eve Nunn (pictured) were hosting a Tupperware party at their Melbourne home when 30 of their guests converged on the wooden balcony, causing it to cave in unexpectedly
As the revellers attempted to take the selfie the balcony caved in at the rear, sending guests tumbling to the ground metres below.
Friends of Mr and Mrs Nunn say the couple are a popular and ‘friendly’ couple who regularly hosted gatherings at their rented home.
Among the guests were Chris and Eve’s employees from their Tupperware business.
A group selfie image taken at last year’s Christmas party on the very same balcony is a haunting portrait of the doomed party-goers.
Neighbour Andrew Stone described the tragedy as ‘biblical’.
‘The sound of it was like nothing I’ve heard before, and then of course followed by the screaming,’ he told Seven News.
Mr Stone added that the screams were so loud, he initially thought it was a brawl.
The Tupperware bosses (pictured) have been described as a ‘friendly’ couple who regularly host gatherings at their rented Melbourne home
The Doncaster East home is pictured before the tragic incident which killed two women
Among the guests were Chris (pictured right) and Eve’s (left) employees from their Tupperware business
It is believed the group of revellers were attempting to take a group selfie when the balcony caved in, sending guests tumbling into the ground below
More than 30 people were standing on the timber balcony at the rear of the Balinga Court home (pictured), in Doncaster East, when it collapsed
‘People were walking around with blood on them, crying, it was devastating really,’ he said.
Ambulance Victoria said it was forced to activate its major emergency response plan to appropriately deal with the incident, turning the entire suburban street into a makeshift emergency room.
There were 17 people rushed to hospital with varying injuries, and 12 more treated at the scene.
Ambulance Victoria said 10 women and seven men aged between 20 and 69-years-old sustained soft tissue injuries, fractures and lacerations and were transported to Box Hill, Austin and Maroondah hospitals.
Victoria Police are seen outside the Doncaster East home in Melbourne on Sunday morning
Two Tupperware vehicles are seen parked outside the home the morning after the balcony collapse
Two women are dead and 17 people have been injured after a balcony collapsed during a Christmas party in Melbourne (pictured) Saturday night
‘This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time,’ State Health Commander Paul Holman said.
Photos show dozens of emergency service vehicles lining the streets of the residential area with people flooding on to the road.
Heavy furniture including a barbecue and fridge were on the balcony when it collapsed.
Acting Superintendent Kerin Moloney said the tragedy of the collapse was ‘magnified’ because it was so close to Christmas.
Victoria Police said they believe more than 30 people were standing on the timber balcony when it collapsed
One, who is yet to be identified, died at the scene (pictured) while the other died in hospital
A distressed appearing woman is on the phone surrounded by emergency services
He said the incident was so horrific personnel who attended the scene were offered counselling.
‘It was a really tragic incident for all emergency services who have attended and also those who were present at the party,’ he said.
‘All the police that have attended have been offered peer support and also the SES and ambulance officers.’
Police continue to investigate and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Photos show dozens of emergency service vehicles lining the streets of the residential area with people flooding to the road
Several people were also trapped after the balcony collapsed at about 10.30pm in Doncaster East (pictured), about 22 kilometres east of Melbourne
Police believe more than 30 people were standing on the balcony of the home when it collapsed about 10.30pm yesterday, in Balinga Court, Doncaster East
Residents speak to emergency service workers outside the home after the balcony collapse
Police are seen taking a statement from a man outside the home in the late hours of Saturday night
Police officers take statements following the tragedy which has left two people dead
Twelve ambulances, police, SES and fire brigades all responded to the scene