Berkeley balcony collapse: Joint funeral for cousins Olivia Burke and Ashley Donohoe

Pallbearers brought the coffins of cousins Olivia Burke and Ashley Donohoe into the church

The families of two cousins who died in a balcony collapse in California that killed six students have said they will fight to prevent another such tragedy.

A joint funeral mass was held in Sonoma for Olivia Burke, 21, from Dublin, and Irish-US citizen Ashley Donohoe, 22.

Afterwards, their families issued a statement through a friend.

He said: "We will fight to make changes so that no family will ever have to go through what we have gone through in the last five days."

He added: "Our daughters and the rest of these students were responsible young adults that were celebrating their friend's 21st birthday in what they felt was a safe environment.

"Unfortunately that turned tragic through no fault of their own."

Friends and relatives of the two cousins attended the service at St Joseph's Catholic Church

Mourners heard tributes to the two young women

Mourners at the funeral heard how the two cousins were kind, fun-loving young women who shared a close bond.

Monsignor Daniel Whelton said that that growing up, Olivia and Ashley would dress alike to try to fool their parents into thinking they were twins.

The bodies of four other Irish students are due to arrive at Dublin Airport on Sunday morning.

On Friday night the relatives of Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, and Niccolai (Nick) Schuster received their bodies for the first time at a joint service in St Columba's Church in Oakland, California.

Their bodies lay in repose in open caskets until around 22:00 local time.

Ms Burke's remains will be flown home to Dublin on Sunday evening.

The victims: Top row, from left: Ashley Donohoe, Eimear Walsh, Olivia Burke. Bottom row, from left: Eoghan Culligan, Lorcan Miller and Niccolai Schuster

The apartment balcony collapsed during a 21st birthday party in the early hours of Tuesday in the city of Berkeley.

Five of the six people who died were Irish students based in the US as part of a work exchange programme.

'Conditions improved'

Meanwhile, the conditions of two of the people who were injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse have improved.

Conor Flynn and Jack Halpin are being cared for at the John Muir Medical Centre in Walnut Creek.

Hospital pastor Fr Michael Gillen described the pair as inspirational and said they should make a full recovery.

Authorities said 13 people were on the balcony when it collapsed

Investigations continue into why the fourth-floor balcony collapsed.

Engineers say water damage may have caused the structure to give way.

Authorities said 13 people were on the balcony when it collapsed.

A book of condolence is to be opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday.