Dominican Republic: At least 98 die, including singer Rubby Pérez and former MLB player Octavio Dotel, after nightclub roof collapse

A nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday claimed at least 98 lives and left another 160 others injured.

Hundreds of people along with VIPs had been attending a meringue concert at an iconic nightclub when the collapse took place.

Crews were on Tuesday searching for potential survivors under the rubble at the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo.

What the rescuers said

"We 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," said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.

Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern Montechristi, as was former Major League baseball player Octavio Dotel.

Reports in the country say merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing at the venue, died as a result of the collapse, but Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, said forensics experts had "not confirmed that they found the body."

Legislator Bray Vargas was among those injured.

"It was sudden. I thought it was an earthquake, so I threw myself to the ground and covered my head," said Enrique Paulino, manager of the singer.

"One of our saxophonists is dead, we tried to get to the area where Rubby was but there was too much debris there," he said.

Local media said there were between 500 and 1,000 people in the club when the disaster happened.

'Main objective is to save lives'

Dominican President Luis Abinader posted on the X social media platform that all rescue agencies are "working tirelessly" to help those affected.

"We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred," he wrote.

"All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families."

Abinader visited the scene and hugged people looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces. He did not speak to reporters.

"The main objective is to save lives... We are deeply affected," he said on his arrival.