The death toll from the roof collapse at a packed nightclub in Santo Domingo has risen to 221, officials said on Thursday, as recovery efforts near completion and families begin to mourn.
The Jet Set club, a popular venue in the Dominican capital, was hosting a concert by merengue singer Rubby Perez late Tuesday when the roof gave way without warning. Emergency crews have been working nonstop ever since.
“This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the country’s emergency operations center, as he confirmed that Thursday would mark the final day of search and recovery.
Nearly 200 people were rescued from the rubble on the first night, but no new survivors have been found since. Heavy machinery continued clearing debris as crews combed through the last section of the collapsed building.
Perez, the headliner of the event, was among those killed. President Luis Abinader attended his funeral on Thursday, with a public memorial scheduled later in the day.
The victims also include former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, along with local politicians and well-known public figures who had come out for the concert.
Outside the wreckage, families of the missing waited quietly, holding photos and hoping for news.
Once the recovery operation ends, the government said it will launch a full investigation into the cause of the collapse.
Read next
15:06
World News
A fierce khamsin dust storm cloaked the Egyptian capital in a yellow haze on Wednesday, shutting schools and cutting visibility as winds gusting to 80 kph swept across Cairo and much of the country.
09:54
Morning Brief
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 30th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
08:42
North Korean troops
Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, according to South Korean lawmakers citing information from the country’s intelligence agency. The total number of North Korean troops deployed to fight alongside Russia is reported to be 15,000.
07:45
Biden-era AI chip
The Trump administration is reviewing possible changes to a Biden-era rule that restricts global access to advanced AI chips, including potentially scrapping the current system that divides countries into three tiers, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
06:30
Russia–Ukraine war
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the war in Ukraine, even as missile strikes continue across the country.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment