11 taken to hospital as museum stairs collapses

Dublin's Natural History Museum is to remain closed for the foreseeable future after a limestone staircase collapsed injuring 11 people this morning.

The museum on Merrion Square was evacuated, and ambulances and fire brigades attended the scene in Dublin city centre.

Joe Hurley of Dublin Fire Brigade speaking to reporters outside the museum. Photograph: Éanna Ó Caollai

"None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening at this stage and nobody has been trapped", a Dublin fire brigade spokesman said. Up to seven walking wounded, suffering from shock and minor injuries, were treated at the scene, he added.

The stairway, in an area not accessible to the public, fractured and collapsed at about 11.30am. Twenty one primary school teachers, attending a science appreciation course, were in that part of the building at the time.

A number of those were on and in the vicinity of the stairs at the time of the incident.

Ten ambulances, four fire brigades, two rescue units and two paramedic cars were sent to the scene. Traffic restrictions were been put in place around Merrion Square.

The injured were taken to several Dublin hospitals, including St James's, St Vincent's and the Mater.

Minister for Arts and Tourism Seamus Brennan visited the scene shortly after the accident. "Our first thoughts are with the injured. I hope that the injuries are not too serious," he said.

"Obviously the museum will be immediately closed to the public, and I will ask the director to carry out a full safety audit of the building. I understand it happened in an area of the museum not normally used by the public, for a training course, I understand, for teachers."

This afternoon, Mr Brennan said the building would remain closed to visitors and staff for the foreseeable future "pending a full health and safety audit by the Health & Safety Authority and the relevant competent authorities".

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, who was due to hold a press conference in the neighbouring Government Buildings on plans for Dublin's Metro West, cancelled the event as details of the incident unfolded.

The museum which is located on the edge of Merrion Square beside Government Buildings, dates back to the 1850s.