A day planned for fun and a graduation celebration ended in tragedy in a small Rhode Island town. A 15-year-old girl died in Portsmouth when a staircase collapsed June 7, 2025, at the Portuguese American Citizens Club. The unidentified victim was reportedly one of 75 guests at the party when the accident happened. Multiple witnesses called 911 for help.
Emergency crews arrived a short time later and saved the lives of three people who were trapped. Sadly, the unidentified 15-year-old perished. Now, the tight-knit community is grieving the tragic loss.
According to NBC Boston, EMS pulled two 17-year-old girls and an adult female from the wreckage. The three victims are recovering at an area hospital.
The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club took to Facebook to share sympathy with the victims of the horrific accident.
“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that that we acknowledge this unthinkable tragedy that has befallen our community. The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club has always taken pride in providing a venue at which our community can congregate and celebrate. Words, neither written or spoken, can express the sorrow with which we are all stricken,” the post reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected. This tragedy has shaken us all to our core. We would like to express a debt of gratitude to our first responders and law enforcement in the town of Portsmouth and neighboring communities.”
Rhode Island has a large Portuguese population, and many offered prayers and kind words on the club’s Facebook page.
“We were there during this tragedy. We called 911 as fast as we could and began praying. It was devastating and heartbreaking we pray to You Lord for everyone to find strength to mend mentally and physically,” one witness wrote. “In Jesus name May that beautiful young lady rest in eternal peace and may her family find strength through the Lord to help them get through this. Amen.”
“This is sooo sad and thinking about all the times we have been there .my heart goes out to everyone I can’t even imagine,” another person wrote. “May God give y’all strength.”
The accident shook the community and caught the attention of Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation in Portsmouth after a partial building collapse at the Portuguese American Citizens Club. Our hearts are with the Portuguese community and all those impacted,” he shared on X. “I’m deeply grateful to the first responders and praying for everyone’s safety.”
The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club remains closed while investigators work to determine what caused the collapse.
