At least 44 deaths at party night in the Dominican Republic – Diepresse.com
More than 146 people were injured. The search for buried continues. A locally famous singer was also buried. « I thought there was an earthquake, » reports his manager, who was also in the club.
When the roof of a discotheque collapses, at least 44 people were killed in the Dominican Republic. 146 others were injured in the accident in the club Jet Set in the capital Santo Domingo, as the head of disaster protection, Juan Manuel Méndez, said local media.
Parts of the roof had plunged onto the celebrants during a concert by the Merengue singer Rubby Pérez. According to media reports, the musician popular in Latin America is said to be among the injuries. The cause of the accident was initially unclear.
« It happened all of a sudden. I thought there was an earthquake, so I threw myself on the floor and covered my head, » said the singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino. « One of our saxophonists is dead. We tried to get to Rubby, but the debris there were too big, » he reported.
The governor of the province of Montecristi, Nelsy Cruz, died in the accident. Her brother, the professional baseball player Nelson Cruz, wrote in a funeral notice on Instagram with love and determination.
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People in front of the Club « Jet Set » collapsed on April 8th. APA / AFP / Dionisio Soldivila
« As long as there is still hope, we continue to work »
Over 300 emergency services searched for spilled under the ruins. Among other things, thermal imaging cameras were used. « As long as there is still hope, we continue to work. There are signs that make us believe that there could still be survivors, » said Méndez. Numerous people donated blood for the injured.
President Luis Abincer visited the scene of the accident. « We deeply regret the tragedy in the Jet Set discotheque, » he wrote on the news platform X. « All emergency services provide the necessary support and work tirelessly on the rescue. Our prayers apply to the families of those affected. »
(APA/dpa)
