At least 124 people are known to have died when the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed Tuesday morning, and 155 transfers have been taken to local hospitals, officials said early Wednesday.
The cause of the massive collapse at the Jet Set nightclub remains unclear as rescue efforts enter their second day. Giant cranes were seen removing pieces of the destroyed roof.
Renowned Dominican merengue singer Perez, who was on stage at the popular Jet Set nightclub when the roof collapsed shortly after midnight Tuesday, was one of those killed, according to his manager.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the country’s Emergency Operations Center, said in a press conference Wednesday that the Dominican navy and fire service were involved in the rescue efforts.
Among the victims in the deadly collapse were two former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, as well as Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Montecristi province.
About 370 rescue personnel combed mounds of fallen bricks, steel bars, and tin sheets for survivors.
Also among the dead was 51-year-old retired Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, who won a World Series in 2011 with the St Louis Cardinals.
He was rescued alive but died of his injuries while being taken to the hospital.
Local media said there were between 500 and 1,000 people in the club when disaster struck at around 12:44 am (0444GMT) Tuesday. The club has a capacity for 700 people seated and about 1,000 people standing.
Dozens of ambulances ferried the injured to the hospital as scores of people gathered outside the venue, desperately seeking news of their loved ones.
Perez was on stage when there was a blackout, and the roof came crashing down, according to eyewitness reports.
Perez´s daughter Zulinka told reporters she had managed to escape after the roof collapsed, but he did not.
Also among the dead was the governor of the Monte Cristi municipality, Nelsy Cruz, according to President Luis Abinader.
The president visited the scene and declared three days of national mourning.
The death toll started at 15 and kept rising throughout Tuesday. By early Wednesday, the preliminary toll had reached 98, said Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center.
