Sixteen Injured in Accident on 'Resident Evil 5' Set

Actress Milla Jovovich stands backstage before the Donna Karan Spring 2010 collection during New York Fashion Week September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES FASHION ENTERTAINMENT)

Sixteen actors dressed as zombies were injured Tuesday when they fell from a platform during filming of a new movie in the "Resident Evil" series, officials said.

Toronto emergency medical spokesman Peter Macintyre said the victims' costumes made it difficult at first for crews to assess the severity of their injuries.

Paramedics responded to the call from Cinespace Film Studios around 8 a.m. to find what appeared — thanks to Hollywood special effects makeup — to be people who had suffered some untold catastrophe.

"I could see the look on the first paramedic, saying 'Oh my God,'" Toronto emergency medical services Commander David Ralph said with a laugh.

Toronto Police Sgt. Andrew Gibson said responders quickly figured out which zombies were injured and which were just in character. "It did kind of catch us off guard when we walked in," he said.

As it turned out, the victims had suffered leg, back and arm injuries. Twelve were taken to a hospital. Officials said none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Police Constable Tony Vella said the actors had been filming a scene on a high wheeled platform. The platform moved as they were going to another platform, leaving a gap into which the zombies fell.

Cinespace Film Studios did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Resident Evil: Retribution" is the fifth installment of a franchise based on the popular video game series and will be distributed by Screen Gems and Sony Pictures.

Lead actress Milla Jovovich was not on set at the time of the accident, according to her representative Christine Tripicchio.

Vella said the incident is classified as an industrial accident. Canada's Ministry of Labor is investigating.