Ceiling collapse at Birmingham primary school prom

A ceiling collapsed on hundreds of people during a school prom, injuring children and adults.

The ceiling came down shortly before 20:00 BST at the Al-Miraj Banqueting Suite in Small Heath, Birmingham.

Most of the people inside managed to escape but six people, including two girls aged nine and 10 and a young boy, had to be treated by paramedics.

The 10-year-old suffered facial injuries caused by shattered glass and was taken to Heartlands Hospital.

Firefighters and paramedics searched the banqueting suite for trapped people

The nine-year-old girl and a woman in her 40s were treated for shock.

A man in his 20s suffered leg pain and a man in his 30s injured his shoulder.

The relative of a young boy who had been taken home later called 999 when he was suffering from shock and leg pain. He was taken to hospital.

The event was arranged by the Al Ameen School in Birmingham and was to feature live performances from musicians and an awards ceremony for pupils.

A teacher answering the phone today said the school would be issuing a statement but added: "All the children are fine."

The ambulance service said hundreds of people were inside the building at the time

Firefighters and paramedics searched the venue to see if anyone was trapped inside, but all were accounted for.

Gaus Uddin, director of the Al Miraj Banqueting Suite, said: "Suddenly we heard a noise and one of the suspended ceilings came down. We managed to get everyone out of the venue."

"I'm very upset with what happened and my condolences to the people who [were] here.

"I apologise to them... it just happened.

"We're just waiting for the health and safety officer to come and asses the work and tell us how to move forward."

The roof collapsed shortly before 20:00 BST

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Brown said: "Thankfully, everyone had managed to escape and there were no further patients found.

"Whilst we treated six people following the incident, it was incredibly lucky that no one was more seriously or even fatally injured."

Richard Cymler, head of Acivico Building Consultancy, said the building would remain closed until it was deemed safe.

"The immediate danger posed by the collapsed ceiling has been dealt with, but the remaining ceiling structure within the building is potentially dangerous and accordingly, the building has been secured and entry prohibited to protect members of the public," he added.