Australian water polo team captain was on the nightclub balcony that collapsed in South Korea

The captain of the Australian women’s water polo team has told of how she was dancing on the balcony inside a nightclub in South Korea before it suddenly collapsed and she fell, while holding a teammate’s hand.

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The Australian women’s water polo team escaped with their lives after they were dancing on a loft that collapsed and killed two party goers at a nightclub in South Korea last night.

The Australian Stingers team were out celebrating after they had just beaten Hungary 10-9 to win the bronze medal at the FINA world championships, when they were involved in the terrifying fatal tragedy.

“Unfortunately I was one of the athletes that fell,” the Australian captain Rowie Webster said.

“I can only speak from my personal experience but it was quite scary.

“It felt like 30 seconds but apparently I was there for six minutes so we’re just happy and grateful that everyone came out pretty unscathed.”

Australian captain Rowie Webster competing at the FINA World Championships in South Korea. Picture: Supplied

Patrons attempted to hold up the loft as it began to fall. Picture: Supplied

The Gwangju fire department confirmed that two people died and at least 10 others, including eight players from the United States, New Zealand, Dutch and Italian national teams, were injured when the balcony inside the seven-storey Coyote Ugly nightclub collapsed.

Almost 400 people were inside the nightclub when the tragedy occurred. Picture: AFP

The most seriously injured were taken by ambulance to the nearby Chosun University Hospital where one remains after undergoing surgery for lacerations, while others returned to the athlete’s village to be treated at the medical centre.

Revellers inside the South Korean nightclub where a balcony collapsed. Picture: Supplied

“I was lucky,” Rowie said. “I was holding my teammates’s hand at the time, so we were dancing and holding each other so I never felt alone.”

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The Australian Women's Water Polo team at the FINA World Championships where they won bronze. Picture: Supplied

Hundreds of swimmers competing at the world championships are expected to hit South Korea’s party scene when their events finish tomorrow night but are being told to consider other arrangements. Swimming Australia said they had planned a private function for the Dolphins.

“Following the conclusion of the swimming competition we have a team dinner planned with the entire touring party so will be together for the evening,” a Swimming Australia spokesperson said.

Another scene capturing revellers inside the nightclub in South Korea after the balcony collapsed. Picture: Supplied

A collapsed internal balcony is seen at the nightclub in Gwangju, South Korea. Picture: AP

Almost 400 people were inside the nightclub when the tragedy occurred at around 2.30am.

Korean police said about 100 people were standing on the second-story loft when it collapsed under the weight.

The Australian women’s water polo team only narrowly escaped injury when the incident unfolded. Picture: AP

The two people who were killed were South Koreans, who were standing under the balcony.

Video filmed inside the nightclub shows chaotic scenes with club patrons screaming as people tried to help the injured.

The New Zealand men’s captain Matt Small said he was also on the loft when it suddenly gave way.

Rescue workers inside the nightclub. Picture: AFP

“It literally collapsed beneath our feet,” he said.

“We were just dancing and then the next minute we dropped 5m to 6m and everyone started rushing out of the club after that.

“We, I guess, fell on top of the heads of other people that were beneath us.

Inside the nightclub where a balcony collapsed leaving two dead. Picture: AFP

“We did what we could, but we couldn’t really do too much. Some of them were pretty dire cases.”

Three American players, including two of the women who gold, were injured with Kaleigh Gilchrist the most serious.

She suffered deep cuts to her left leg a deep and underwent surgery in hospital in Gwangju.

Paige Hauschild and Johnny Hooper needed stitches.

“This is an awful tragedy,” USA Water Polo chief executive Christopher Ramsey said.

“Players from our men’s and women’s teams were celebrating the women’s world championship victory when the collapse occurred at a public club. Our hearts go out to the victims of the crash and their families.”

An exterior view of the nightclub Coyote Ugly in Gwangju, South Korea. Picture: Getty

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The Korean news agency Yonhap said local authorities believed the loft inside the club had been expanded illegally, without permission from city authorities and Gwangju police are establishing a task force to investigate the matter.

Police stand at the doorway to the nightclub in Gwangju, South Korea. Picture: AP

FINA, the world governing body for all aquatic sports, expressed its condolences to the victims.

“As some Championships’ participants were present at the moment of the accident, FINA is carefully monitoring the situation and will activate all measures to ensure health care and assistance is provided whenever necessary,” FINA said.

“FINA deeply regrets the situation and sends its best wishes to any victims of this accident.”