Twelve people have been left injured after a tree fell on a group of spectators during a college graduation ceremony.

The incident happened at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, on Friday night. The severity of the injuries are not yet known.

According to KVTU, at least two people had to be taken to hospital for treatment falling the freak incident.

Images shared on social media show the large tree on its side, spectators can be seen in amongst its limbs while others snap pictures of it.

School officials said that police and first responders were already on site due to event protocol.

Officials are now probing what caused the tree to fall onto the crowd, and said that work has started on removing it.

Images shared on social media show the large tree on its side, spectators can be seen in amongst its limbs while others snap pictures of it

The incident happened at Diablo Valley College in California, seen here, on Friday evening. The severity of the injuries are not yet known

Officials are now probing what caused the tree to fall onto the crowd, and said that work has started on removing it. Spectators are seen here at the ceremony on Friday

In a statement, the school said: ‘The safety of our students and visitors to our campus is our top priority.

‘We deeply regret that this incident occurred during this milestone occasion.

‘We congratulate all of our graduates and hope they are able to celebrate with their loved ones this evening.’

The college, which was founded in 1949, is a public community college that has campuses in Pleasant Hill and nearby San Ramon.