Santo Domingo, April 8: At least 44 people died and 160 others were injured in the Dominican capital early Tuesday when the roof collapsed at an iconic nightclub where politicians, athletes and others were attending a merengue concert, authorities said. Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-storey Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations.

슬롯사이트We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,슬롯사이트� he said. Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed down onto patrons, rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from the debris. At the scene, firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and sawed planks of wood to use them as planks to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air. Nightclub Roof Collapse: At Least 18 Dead, More Than 120 Injured After Roof Collapses During Rubby Perez Concert in Dominican Republic (Watch Videos).

The confirmed death toll had reached 44, Méndez said in the early afternoon. Earlier, officials had said there were at least 160 people injured. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among the victims. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m. saying she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, First Lady Raquel Abraje told reporters. Officials said Cruz died later at the hospital.

슬롯사이트This is too great a tragedy,슬롯사이트� Abraje said in a broken voice. Meanwhile, the injured include former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, legislator Bray Vargas and merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, officials said. His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group's saxophonist.

슬롯사이트It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,슬롯사이트� he said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse. Jet Set issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. 슬롯사이트The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,슬롯사이트� it said. Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home, was among those anxiously waiting outside the club known for its traditional parties held on Monday where renowned national and international artists perform. At Least 27 Dead, 160 Injured in Roof Collapse at Nightclub in Dominican Republic.

Nightclub Roof Collapse

슬롯사이트We're holding on only to God,,슬롯사이트� Olivo said. Also awaiting word was Massiel Cuevas, godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista. 슬롯사이트I'm waiting for her. She's in there, I know she's in there,슬롯사이트� Cuevas said, firm in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive. President Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are 슬롯사이트working tirelessly슬롯사이트� to help those affected. 슬롯사이트We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,슬롯사이트� he wrote.

Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces. 슬롯사이트We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,슬롯사이트� he told reporters. An official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space. 슬롯사이트You have to cooperate with authorities, please,슬롯사이트� he said. 슬롯사이트We are removing people.슬롯사이트�

At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones. Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which projected pictures of the victims so their loved ones could identify them.