Dominican Republic authorities said on early Tuesday that a roof fell at a nightclub in the capital of the country, claiming the lives of at least 124 people, and over 250 people were injured.
The director of the Center of Emergency Operations, Juan Manuel Méndez, said crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at Jet Set in Santo Domingo.
He said, “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble.”
The governor of Montecristi, Nelsy Cruz, was among the victims. Officials disclosed that merengue singer Rubby Pérez was among the injured as he was performing when the building collapsed.
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The manager of Rubby Pérez, Enrique Paulino’s shirt was spattered with blood, and he told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly after midnight and the roof collapsed almost an hour later, claiming the lives of the group’s saxophonist.
Paulino said, “It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.
President Luis Abinader posted on X formerly that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.
He wrote, “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred.”
President Abinader got to the scene and hugged those searching for friends and families, and some were with tears streaming down their faces.
One official with a megaphone said, “You have to cooperate with authorities, please.” “We are removing people.”
The cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation.
