A nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo early Tuesday resulted in at least 18 fatalities and over 120 injuries, according to authorities.
Rescue teams are currently searching the wreckage at the Jet Set nightclub, stated Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
“We believe many individuals are still alive, which is why authorities will persist until everyone is accounted for,” he affirmed.
Among the deceased is Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi. Merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the incident occurred, is among the injured, officials reported.
Enrique Paulino, Pérez’s manager, recounted to reporters that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, claiming the life of the group’s saxophonist. His shirt was stained with blood.
“It happened very fast. I managed to dive into a corner,” he stated, adding that his initial thought was that it was an earthquake.
President Luis Abinader posted on X that all rescue services are “working tirelessly” to assist those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub and have been monitoring the situation closely since it occurred,” he wrote.
He also embraced individuals searching for their friends and relatives, some of whom were crying, but he did not address the press.
An official used a megaphone outside the club, urging the large crowd gathered to search for loved ones to allow ambulances access.
“Please cooperate with the authorities,” he pleaded. “We are evacuating people.”
At a hospital where the injured were taken, an official announced the names of survivors, as a crowd gathered, calling out the names of their family and friends.
The cause of the roof collapse remains unknown.
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