Heartbroken Dominicans have begun to hold funerals for those lost among at least 220 victims of a nightclub rooftop collapse, while many others remain unaccounted for.
Over 300 rescuers, supported by sniffer dogs, have been tirelessly working since the tragedy struck early Tuesday, attempting to save survivors from the debris of the Jet Set club in the capital, Santo Domingo.
On Wednesday night, officials ended the search for live victims, transitioning their focus to the recovery of bodies from the twisted remains of steel, zinc, and brick that once formed the structure.
Reports from local media indicated that between 500 and 1,000 people were present at the club for a concert by well-known merengue artist Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof collapsed. The 69-year-old tragically died at the scene, though his daughter survived.
A comprehensive report of the victims will be issued in the upcoming hours, Mr. Mendez informed reporters, as the Dominican Republic entered three days of national mourning.
“Our rescue team is concluding the search operations,” he stated.
Over 500 people sustained injuries when the nightclub’s roof fell.
Health Minister Victor Atallah mentioned earlier that more bodies may be trapped beneath the rubble in what has become the Caribbean nation’s deadliest disaster in decades.
“No one will remain unidentified. No one will be left without closure,” he assured reporters. “We will move every last stone that needs to be moved.”
The Dominican presidency announced the formation of a commission comprising national and international experts to investigate the tragedy.
‘They are all gone’
On Thursday, President Luis Abinader attended a memorial for Mr. Perez at the National Theater, where family, friends, and fans released white balloons as the hearse carrying his remains departed.
“My soul is on the verge of exploding with love,” Zulinka, Mr. Perez’s daughter, chanted during the ceremony—a lyric from one of the many songs her father had sung to her during her childhood.
Mr. Perez’s coffin was adorned with wreaths, topped with the signature hat and glasses he was known for.
“Rubby is part of our history; he is a people’s artist, humble, who emerged from poverty,” said fan Alina Caminero, 56, outside the venue. His cherished songs include “Buscando Tus Besos” and “Volvere.”
In the nearby community of Haina, families held a joint ceremony for about 20 victims, with coffins lined up side by side on a basketball court.
A preliminary list of the deceased included individuals from Haiti, Italy, France, and the United States.
Notable among the victims were Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, as well as former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.
More than 500 individuals were injured in the incident.
On Thursday, families gathered at funeral homes to begin their mourning, while others waited at hospitals for updates on missing relatives.
“This has been a very difficult process, as yesterday we went from clinic to clinic, hospital to hospital, and even near the Jet Set, searching for our loved ones in hopes of finding them alive,” said 47-year-old Jose Santana, who lost four family members in the tragedy, while at the morgue. “Unfortunately, this morning we were informed that they are all gone.”
A list of the deceased was displayed on a tent set up near the morgue.
“No pathology institute can handle such a large number of bodies rapidly,” Atallah remarked, noting that temporary centers would be established to expedite the identification process.
Aerial footage of the scene resembled the aftermath of an earthquake, revealing a large gap where the nightclub’s roof, a staple of Santo Domingo’s nightlife for fifty years, once stood.
A video shared on social media captured the venue suddenly plunging into darkness while Mr. Perez was performing, followed by the sounds of crashing and screams.
Artists from the Dominican Republic expressed their sorrow over the tragedy on social media on Thursday.
Actress Zoe Saldana, the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, posted, “In times of loss, we must unite in solidarity and compassion.”
Saldana and fellow Dominican Cardi B shared a black ribbon on their stories to convey their grief.
