The rescue operation at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital city, Santo Domingo, where the roof collapsed during Monday’s performance, leading to the death of 184 people, has concluded, media reports said on Thursday.
The incident marked one of the worst disasters registered by the country in a decade.
According to reports, at least 300 people were present inside the Jet Set nightclub on Tuesday when the mishap occurred.
Merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra were performing at the venue when the roof collapsed.
Pérez’s body was recovered from the scene on Wednesday morning, emergency services told CNN.
The deceased also included two former Major League Baseball players.
The exact number of the injured was yet to be provided by officials, with Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center, quoted as saying by CNN earlier that 145 people who had been rescued on Tuesday were “alive”.
Over 300 rescue workers, aided by sniffer dogs, searched through the rubble to find the survivors.
Desperate family members were seen standing anxiously with the hope that their loved ones would be rescued safely from the site of the accident.
“The past two days have been difficult because when people are trapped, you’re not feeling well mentally,” one responder told CNN.
Several videos of the venue are now circulating online, showing the moment when the roof collapsed.
President Luis Abinader mourned the loss of lives in the tragedy and wrote on X: “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
US National Dies
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said one American citizen died in the tragedy.
He posted on X: “Jeanette and I are united in prayer as the people of the Dominican Republic grieve the recent tragedy that took place in Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo, which also resulted in the unfortunate death of at least one U.S. citizen and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents, while rescue efforts remain ongoing.”
Mourning the loss of lives in the tragedy, he said: “Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event. The U.S. stands ready to support our Dominican allies amid this difficult time.”
Two Major League players who lost their lives in the tragedy were identified as Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement where he said: “Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”
Survivor shares experience
Jenniré Mena of Venezuela, a survivor, told CNN that she was at the club celebrating her 40th birthday with two of her friends.
Mena said one of them died while the other friend got trapped under the rubble.
“I’m grateful to be alive, feeling a lot of pain, but grateful to have the opportunity to feel this pain,” she said.
