At least 27 people were killed and dozens more injured after the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed during a musical performance attended by hundreds early Tuesday, officials said, as rescue workers raced to reach survivors.
At least 138 people have been pulled alive from the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, the government said in a statement. At the time of the roof collapse at least 300 people were inside the venue, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Center.
Among the dead was Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province, Dominican President Luis Abinader said. Cruz was related to MLB all-star Nelson Cruz, according a statement from his family mourning her death.
The roof caved in at around 1 a.m. local time while merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra were performing on stage, authorities said.
Footage from inside the venue appears to show the moment the roof collapsed. One video shows the band performing while someone near the stage points out that something has fallen in the back of the club.
Moments later, pendant lights suspended from the ceiling start to collapse along with the entire roof overhead. Screams and crashing sounds can be heard for a few seconds before the video goes dark.
Abinader traveled to the nightclub later Tuesday morning with his wife, First Lady Raquel Arbaje, to express their condolences to the victims. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” Abinader wrote on X. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”Aerial footage from local news outlets on Tuesday morning showed the venue with a wide, gaping hole in the middle of the building where the audience would have been located during the performance. Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the city’s mayor, said Santo Domingo was waking “to a terrible tragedy,” offering her condolences to families “still waiting for news of their loved ones.”
The Jet Set nightclub is one of the Caribbean nation’s most famous venues, and its Monday night events are especially well attended.
By CNN
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