There are still 160 injured
At least 98 people died and 160 were injured in a disco in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when the night ceiling collapsed at dawn on Tuesday, the latest balance.
Speaking to the press, the director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, said searches continue and no other information will be released in the next five hours.
The previous balance of the authorities reported 79 dead.
It has passed almost 24 hours since the disco ceiling collapsed, around 1:00 am (06:00 in Lisbon), when the popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez worked.
Pérez and the saxophonist of the musical group were two of the deadly victims, said the musical businessman Enrique Paulino.
“It’s true,” Paulino told France-Presse news agency, confirming the death of the 69-year-old star, 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 the sister of the famous baseball player Nelson Cruz, are among the dead.
Among the injured is former Major League Baseball player (the US Baseball Professional League) Octavio Dotel and Legislator Bray Vargas, according to the authorities.
The disco is famous for concerts and parties held on Mondays, being frequented by local celebrities.
“We deeply regret the tragedy in the jet set nightclub. We have been following the minute by the start, from the beginning. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are tirelessly participating in rescue efforts. Our prayers are with families affected,” said Dominican President Luis Abinader, on social network X.
Abinader arrived at the place of collapse and embraced those who were looking for friends and family, but did not speak to reporters.
Authorities are unaware of the causes of the collapse of the disco ceiling.
Through a decree, Abinader declared on 08, 09 and 10 of official mourning due to the “tragic situation,” said the presidency.
The decree orders the national flag to be raised by half a rod on these days in military facilities and public buildings across the country.
