Dominican Republic: The death toll is dramatically rising – 218 victims

The death toll from the collapse of a club in Santo Domingo is dramatically rising dramatically, with the dead now reaching 218 according to the newest report by the authorities, while rescuers have lost every hope that they will find survivors in the debris.

Rescue crews are focused today mainly on the withdrawal of corpses. On Tuesday afternoon, no one has been found alive under the ruins.

« Unfortunately and so sorry, there are 218 dead, based on preliminary data, » said Emergency Center Director Juan Manuel Mentes. « Our rescuers are preparing to put an end to their investigations, » after rescuing 189 people, he added.

Dozens of people are still crowded around the club, hospitals and the morgue, awaiting information on their missing relatives and friends.

Some hold photos, others just cry.

A list of the names of the dead has been posted on a scene, next to the point where the corpses are gathered.

Jose Santana lost four members of his family. « Yesterday we spent the day going from a clinic to a clinic, hospital to hospital and outside the jet set set, searching for our brothers, hoping to find them alive. Unfortunately, in the morning we were told that they were all dead, « he said.

« My sister is in intensive care. I also have a nephew in serious condition, a niece of mine was killed and we have not yet received the corpse. We are shocked, sad, crushed by the disaster, this tragedy that hit the whole people, « said Juan Francisco Rosario.

In the club was the popular singer of Merengue Ruby Peres, who was killed by the collapse of the roof. Among the victims were the governor of the province of Monte Crisi, Nelsi Cruz and former baseball athletes Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at least one American is among the dead.

A video posted on social networking sites shows the moment the roof collapses while the singer is on stage. In other videos, workers wipe the club’s floor before the tragedy to remove stones and dirt falling from the ceiling.

The President of the Dominican Republic declared a three -day national mourning.