At least 70 people were left trapped after a floor collapsed at a wedding venue, leaving six injured.
The incident occurred at The Preserve at Chocorua in Tamworth, New Hampshire, where around 140 guests had gathered for the celebration.
The collapse happened shortly after the ceremony began, when floorboards suddenly buckled and created a hole measuring about 20 feet by 20 feet.
Guests fell nearly eight feet into the basement, while others became trapped under wooden beams and farm equipment stored below.
Before emergency crews arrived, staff and other attendees rushed to help those who had fallen. They used ladders to pull people out and provided first aid to those with minor injuries.
First responders later confirmed that approximately 145 people were present at the time of the incident and worked carefully to rescue those still trapped in the basement.
Emergency crews transported six people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while many others received treatment at the scene.
Photos from the Fire Marshal’s Office showed a decorated ceiling with a chandelier and wedding bunting above the collapsed section, along with benches that had been set up for guests before the incident.
Another image showed firefighters gathered around the barn, assisting shaken attendees.
Investigators believe the building, known as the Sap House, may have been over capacity at the time of the collapse.
Officials said that before emergency crews arrived, guests and staff had already helped several people climb out of the basement using ladders.
Firefighters then assisted additional guests and conducted on-site evaluations of those reporting injuries.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.
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