At least 184 people died after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a new report released by local authorities.
Unfortunately, we have to inform that, to date, we have 184 people recovered [dead], according to the Inacif [forensic medical institute] certificate", announced, at 10:30 pm on Wednesday (3:30 am today in Lisbon), the director of the emergency operations center, Juan Manuel Méndez.
A previous report indicated 113 fatalities.
Méndez said teams at the scene continue to search for victims and potential survivors, although no one had been found alive as of Tuesday afternoon (local time).
"We will not abandon anyone. Our work will continue," he assured.
The tragedy occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in the early hours of Tuesday, when merengue singer Rubby Pérez was performing. According to music entrepreneur Enrique Paulino, who managed the artist, Pérez and the group's saxophonist were among the fatal victims.
"It's true," Paulino told the France-Presse news agency, confirming the death of the 69-year-old artist, whose full name was Roberto Antonio Pérez Herrera.
Also Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the province of Monte Cristi (in the northwest of the country) and sister of the famous baseball player Nelson Cruz, is among those killed in the incident.
Among the injured were former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel and lawmaker Bray Vargas, authorities said.
The Jet Set nightclub was famous for its shows and parties held on Mondays, and was frequented by local celebrities.
Authorities did not say exactly how many people were inside the nightclub when the collapse occurred and the reasons that led to the roof collapsing have not yet been clarified.
Dominican President Luis Abinader has already visited the site to monitor the work and provide support to the victims.
By means of a decree, Abinader declared three days of official mourning, ending today, due to the "tragic situation that occurred," the Dominican Presidency reported. The decree orders the national flag to be flown at half-mast on military installations and public buildings across the country.
Several foreign governments have publicly expressed their condolences to the country for the tragedy, including Spain, Cuba, El Salvador, Panama and Brazil.
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