GUWAHATI: Rescue teams in the Dominican Republic are searching for survivors after the roof of a nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed, killing at least 98 people. The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub.
More than 155 people were transported to local hospitals by ambulance following the collapse. Emergency workers continued search and rescue efforts into Tuesday night, combing through the debris in hopes of finding survivors. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the collapse, which remains under investigation.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the rising death toll during a press briefing. Authorities said that relatives of the victims were being offered psychological support.
Jet Set issued a public statement following the tragedy, expressing grief over the lives lost and extending sympathies to affected families.
President Luis Abinader visited the site, spoke with emergency personnel and met with relatives of the victims. The president also announced three days of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast.
Among the dead are reported to be several politicians and former athletes. Pedro Martinez, a former Major League Baseball pitcher with 17 seasons in the league, posted a video on Instagram saying his family members were still missing in the rubble.
Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez had performed at Jet Set earlier in the evening. Multiple reports indicated that Pérez was among those killed. His manager, Enrique Paulino, told reporters the roof collapsed nearly an hour after the performance began. The group’s saxophonist was also confirmed dead.
Families of the missing gathered near the club seeking updates. Many expressed frustration over the lack of information, while emergency services continued efforts to secure the area and extract those still trapped.
