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- Roof collapse at nightclub in Santo Domingo results in 184 deaths.
- Emergency operations transition from rescue to recovery efforts.
- Families of the deceased start planning funeral services.
SANTO DOMINGO: A catastrophic roof collapse at a well-known nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital has resulted in the loss of at least 184 lives, officials reported late Wednesday as hopes for survivors faded.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, and for the past two days, families have gathered near the remains of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, anxiously awaiting news about their missing loved ones and sharing photographs with authorities.
“We will not leave anyone behind,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the nation’s emergency operations center, during a news briefing.
Rescue teams will continue their efforts until every body is recovered, but the possibility of finding additional survivors dwindles, with no one rescued alive in the last 24 hours, Mendez added.
“In the next few hours, we will shift from search and rescue to body recovery,” stated presidential spokesperson Homero Figueroa.
Despite the grim situation, families remained hopeful. Alex de Leon was among many searching for his ex-wife, the mother of their two children, and a close family friend around the nightclub area.
“I unfortunately don’t have any information about their whereabouts,” he said. “My 15-year-old son is heartbroken, while our 9-year-old remains calm because we’ve told him his mom is at work.”
Friends and relatives of the missing held onto photos and described their attire at the time of the tragedy, hoping it might help identify their loved ones if their remains were disfigured.
On Wednesday, authorities announced that 155 individuals had been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospitals, though the exact number of patrons inside the club at the time of the collapse remains unknown.
From Celebration to Catastrophe
The tragedy struck during a concert by beloved Dominican artist Rubby Perez. The gathering, attended by politicians, athletes, and other notable figures, morphed into chaos after midnight when the roof unexpectedly gave way.
Perez was among those killed, and the Ministry of Culture declared that a tribute will be held on Thursday to honor his legacy as a prominent figure in the country’s art and merengue scene.
Families of the deceased whose bodies have been recovered have started holding funerals.
President Luis Abinader was present at the funeral of Nelsy Cruz, governor of the northern Monte Cristi province and sister of former MLB star Nelson Cruz, a seven-time All-Star.
Also among the casualties were pitcher Octavio Dotel and slugger Tony Blanco, both former Major League Baseball players.
The son of the Minister of Public Works and Communications also lost his life in the disaster.
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