Roof collapse at Dominican club kills at least 113 as officials scramble to identify victims

Tragic roof collapse at Jet Set club in Santo Domingo kills over 113, including musicians and athletes.

The legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people's drinks.

Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed more than 113 people and trapped dozens of others on a dance floor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert early Tuesday. More than 255 people were injured, authorities said.

The victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck. His body was found early Wednesday, said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

Rescue crews were still searching for potential survivors more than 24 hours after the collapse. “As long as they report that there is a missing person, we will be here,” Méndez said.

Rescue crews from Puerto Rico and Israel arrived in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to help local authorities with the search.

Late Tuesday night, those still looking for their family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns.

So far, only 32 people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic. Local media reported that those who died include a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth.