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Authorities said at least 27 people were injured and more than 120 people were injured after the roof of a nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic fell earlier on Tuesday, April 8.
Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, said staff were looking for potential survivors in Jet Set The Rucble in Santo Domingo.
“We think many of them are still alive, which is why the authorities here won’t give up until no one leaves that rubble behind,” he said.
Montecristi Governor Nelsy Cruz was one of the victims.
Meanwhile, the injured included Melenger singer Rubby Pérez, who performed when the roof collapsed, officials said.
His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was covered in blood, told reporters on the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, killing the group’s saxophone player after the roof collapsed nearly an hour ago.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” Paulino said, who initially thought it was an earthquake.
President Luis Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are working “relatively” to help those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that happened at Jet Set Nightclub. We have been following the events in a minute since it happened.”
Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some shedding tears.
An official with a megaphone stood outside the club, begging a large crowd to gather to find friends and relatives to provide ambulance space.
“Please work with the authorities,” he said. “We are expelling people.”
At a hospital where the injured, an officer stood outside and read the survivor’s name aloud, and a group of people gathered around her and shouted the names of loved ones.
It is not clear what caused the roof collapse.
