Chicago Porch Collapse

Tragedy In Chicago — AP/Chicago Tribune, James Branaman

Friends of victims sit on a curb outside an alley, after an overloaded third-floor porch of an apartment building collapsed during a party early Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Chicago, sending people and debris crashing to the ground. Twelve young people were killed and as many as 57 others were injured.

Paramedics and friends try to help victims waiting to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Paramedics take a victim to a waiting ambulance early Sunday, June 29, 2003, after the overloaded third-floor porch of an apartment building collapsed during a party, sending people and debris crashing to the ground.

Officials survey the damage.

Engineers and city officials watch as demolition crews remove the remaining structure of a porch that collapsed during an early morning party on Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Chicago. The porch collapse, which occurred in a three-flat on the north side of the city, killed 12 and injured more than 50.

Chicago building inspector Julio Montilla looks over the damage and takes photos at the scene of the tragedy. A spokesman for the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications said most of the dead appeared to have been people who were sandwiched between the falling porch floors.

Raj Desai, right, comforts Miloni Kathari outside Illinois Masonic Medical Center as they wait for Desai's sister, Anjie Desai, who was suffered a broken ankle in collapse.

Anjie Desai leaves Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Back at the scene of the tragedy, officials survey the damage.

Investigators walk past the scene.

Cortez Trotter, director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management, left, addresses the media in front of a third-story porch that collapsed in the rear of an apartment building early Sunday, June 29, 2003, on the north side of Chicago, killing 12 people and sending 57 to area hospitals.

Engineers and city investigators examine the remaining structure.

The scene of the tragedy.

A plastic cup sits on the remains of the third-story porch.