The roof of a legendary night club in the Dominican capital broke back in the early Tuesday during a Merengue concert where politicians, athletes and others were visited, more than 60 people and 160 injuries, the authorities said.
The crews searched for potential survivors in the one-story jet set night club in Santo Domingo in the ruins, said Juan Manuel Méndez, Emergency Operations Director.
“We assume that many of them are still alive, and therefore the authorities will only give up here until no one remains under these ruins,” he said.
Almost 12 hours after the tip of the night club had collapsed to the guests, the rescue teams still pulled survivors out of the ruins. Firefighters removed broken concrete blocks and wooden boards made of wood to use them to raise heavy debris, while the noise of the drills that break through concrete filled the air.
Dozens of people are dead after a roof collapsed in a night club in the Dominican Republic during a concert early Tuesday. Retters continue to look for victims in the rubble, and the crews still pull out survivors almost 12 hours after the collapse.
The confirmed number of fatalities had reached 66, said Méndez late Tuesday afternoon. Previously, officials said that at least 160 people were injured.
Méndez said rescue workers prioritized three areas in the club: “We hear some noise.”
“It’s too big a tragedy”
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of the seven-time Major League-Baseball-All-Stars Nelson Cruz, belonged to the victims. She called President Luis Abincer at 12:49 p.m. local time and said she was caught and the roof was collapsed, First Lady Raquel Abrraje told reporters. Officials said Cruz died later in the hospital.
“It’s too great tragedy,” said Abrraje in a broken voice.
The professional baseball League of the Dominican Republic recorded X that the former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel had also died. Officials had previously saved him out of the rubble and taken him to a hospital.
The 51 -year -old Dotel had played for various teams, including the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals.
His short stay at the Jays came in 2011, a season in which he ended with the St. Louis Cardinals with which he won a World Series title. (He was also in game 7 of the same championship series.)
The Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera was also killed, said the spokesman for the league, Satosky Terrero.
The national legislator Bray Vargas was among the injured.
The group’s saxophonist was also killed, says Manager
Relatives of the singer of Merengue Rubby Pérez, who performed when the roof collapsed, first said he was saved, but Méndez later said on Tuesday that this was not true. He said rescue teams were still looking for Pérez.
The manager of the singer, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was sprayed with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, whereby the roof collapsed almost an hour later and killed the group’s saxophonist.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself in a corner,” said Paulino, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.
It was not immediately clear what the roof collapsed or when the Jet Set building was recently inspected.
The club made an explanation in which he worked with the authorities. “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” said it.
Global Affairs Canada said in an e -mail that it knows the roof collapse and “closely monitored the situation”.
“We extend our sympathy for the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and wish the injured a quick relaxation. So far we have no reports about Canadian citizens who are involved in this incident.”
Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son visited the concert but did not return home, waited among the anxious wait outside of the club, which was known for his traditional parties on Monday and performed the well -known national and international artists.
“We only stick to God,” said Ortiz.
Massiel also waited Cuevas, godmother of the 22-year-old Darlenys Batista.
“I’m waiting for her. She’s in there, I know that she’s in there,” said Cuevas in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive.
President Abinader wrote about X that all rescue agencies work “tirelessly” to help those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy, which occurred in the night club in the jet set. We have followed the incidents since it occurred,” he wrote.
Abincader arrived at the scene and hugged those who were looking for friends and family, some with tears that flocked over their faces.
“We believe in God that we will save even more people alive,” he said.
An official with a megaphone was in front of the club, which borrowed the large amount that had gathered to look for friends and relatives to place an ambulance.
“Please have to work with the authorities,” he said. “We remove people.”
In a hospital in which the injuries were taken, an official stood outside and read the names of the survivors when a lot gathered around them and screamed the names of their loved ones.
