The authorities of the Dominican Republic said Thursday that the number of deaths for the tragic collapse on Tuesday of a popular nightclub has grown to about 200 people.
The official count of bodies recovered from the collapsed building He remained At 221 on Thursday, with another 155 injured, and rescuers said that the possibilities of recovering anyone alive were thin.
Rescue workers have recovered 189 survivors from the disaster site, but almost 48 hours have passed since a living person was found in the remains.
Family members never Gathered In the scene, grabbing photos of their disappeared loved ones and with the hope of the chances of good news. Unfortunately, the director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Juan Manuel Méndez, saying On the morning of the morning day, rescue efforts were official after 33 hours of work without stopping.
“Today we conclude the most difficult work in my 20 years as head of the EOC,” said Méndez Tearully.
The collapse occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo in the middle of midnight on Tuesday, while the club was packed for a performance by the Dominican legend of Merengue Rubby Pérez.
Pérez was among the deaths when the roof of the building collapsed abruptly, going down in a matter of moments and leaving the occupants of the nightclub without any opportunity to escape. Survivors compared The experience of living through an earthquake.
The cause of collapse has not yet been determined, as most rescue teams in the Dominican Republic – In addition to additional teams from Puerto Rico and Israel – Have a fight to find survivors in the remains.
The Jet Set nightclub has been in business since 1973 and had become one of the most popular clubs in the Dominican Republic. He has sacrificed lung meringue performances known as “Jet Set Monday.” The building that collapsed after Tuesday was not the original club location.
According to Associated Press (AP), the current location of the jet set was renovated In 2010 and 2015, and was beaten by Lightning in 2023. It is not clear when the building was inspected for the last time, or how intensive such inspection could have.
Other victims of collapse celebrities included former Major League Baseball (MLB) Octavio Dotel, 51 -year -old Tony, and Tony Blanco, 44. Dotel was recovered from living rubble, but died on his way to the hospital.
Another victim with a baseball connection was Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martínez, governor of the city of Monte Cristi and the sister of the MLB player Nelson Cruz.
The MLB commissioner, Robert Manfred Jr., said Tuesday that the League was “deeply sad” for the death of Dotel, Blanco and Cruz, as well as all the other victims. Fame Hall Player Pedro Martínez saying Several family members were missing.
“We send our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of all who have affected our legs and our Creamleague Nelson and their whole family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic works deeply, and we are the players and fans domiciled and fans and fans and fans” “” “” “, he said.”
“There are no words to express the pain that this event has caused. What happened has a devastating bone for all. We, because we know that we are with you, that we share your Anguh from the beginning, and that we have the thorente and transparent, full and transparent, with everything. saying Antonio Espaillat, owner of the Jet Set nightclub.
“Everything we do now, every decision, every step, has one purpose: to live up to your pain and be with you,” he said.
The Jet Set nightclub issued a statement on Wednesday that said that Espaillat was out of the country when the ceiling collapse occurred, but quickly returned to “collaborate with the authorities in rescue and investigation efforts.”
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred in the Jet Set nightclub,” said the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader.
“We have bone after the minute of the incident that occurred. All aid agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly on rescue efforts. Our prayer is with affected families,” said Abinader.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirm On Wednesday, at least one American citizen was killed in the collapse of the nightclub, along with an un specified number or permanent legal residents of the United States.
“Our hearts are with families and loved ones affected by this devastating event. The United States is ready to support our Dominican allies in the midst of this difficult time,” said Rubio.
