ALBAWABA- The death toll has climbed to 44 following the catastrophic roof collapse of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, early Tuesday morning.
More than 150 others were injured, as rescue teams scrambled to locate survivors buried under the rubble.
According to emergency officials, around 400 rescue workers are continuing efforts to clear the debris and save those still trapped, with anguished cries for help echoing from beneath the collapsed structure.
The popular nightclub was reportedly packed with between 500 and 1,000 people when the roof suddenly gave way.
“It felt like an earthquake,” said Enrique Paulino, manager of famed Dominican merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing at the venue. “I threw myself to the ground and covered my head. One of our saxophonists died—we tried to reach Rubby, but there was too much debris.”
Perez’s daughter, Zulinka, initially believed her father was among the dead but later confirmed he was alive, injured, and trapped beneath the wreckage. Authorities continue to work to extract him safely.
Among the deceased was Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi municipality, who died from her injuries in the hospital, confirmed President Luis Abinader.
Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), stated that ambulances had made 134 hospital trips, transporting between 150 and 160 patients.
He vowed that rescue efforts would continue as long as there was any chance of finding survivors. “As long as there is hope for life, all authorities will be working to recover or rescue these people,” said Mendez.
