Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse: Shift from Rescue to Recovery

CNN —

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have concluded their rescue operations and are now focusing on recovery efforts following the devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub early Tuesday, which resulted in over 200 fatalities.

The tragic event, which took place during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez, has shocked the nation, leading to three days of mourning in response to the incident. A significant number of attendees were present when the roof gave way.

Efforts to recover bodies intensified overnight from Wednesday to Thursday as civil protection services cleared substantial debris, according to engineer Snayder Santana. Most of the bodies retrieved during this time were female and are currently undergoing identification processes.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Center Operations issued an official statement indicating that all viable chances of finding more survivors had been exhausted, shifting the focus of operations to the respectful recovery of victims’ remains.

Juan Manuel Méndez, the operations center’s director, shared in a press conference that no further survivors had been pulled from the wreckage since the incident, and he expressed deep emotion over the rising death toll, which reached 221 by Thursday, with 189 individuals rescued alive.

While the cause of the collapse remains unclear, reports suggest that the Jet Set nightclub, a popular venue constructed over 50 years ago, had a capacity of around 500 people. Health Minister Victor Atallah noted that most of the deceased suffered severe head trauma, indicating that many were struck forcibly by debris as the ceiling fell.

Desperate families gathered outside the nightclub seeking updates, while President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje visited the site to offer condolences to the victims’ families. The government has announced three days of mourning in honor of those lost in this tragic disaster.