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Rescuers race against time after Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

Rescuers comb through rubble at Dominican nightclub as death toll rises above 100, including prominent local figures.

Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. [Eddy Vittini/AP Photo]

By News Agencies

Published On 9 Apr 2025

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Rescuers raced to find survivors more than 24 hours after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in the Dominican Republic during a concert, killing more than 100 people.

Renowned Dominican merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was on stage at the popular Jet Set nightclub when the roof collapsed shortly after midnight on Tuesday, was among those killed, according to his manager, Enrique Paulino.

About 370 rescue personnel combed mounds of fallen bricks, steel bars and tin sheets for survivors.

Dozens of ambulances ferried the injured to hospital, as several people gathered outside the venue desperately seeking news of their loved ones.

The club had a capacity of 700 people seated and about 1,000 people standing.

Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre, said “as long as there is hope for life, all authorities will be working to recover or rescue these people”.

Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
Civil defence members and firefighters carry a wounded man following the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub roof in Santo Domingo. [Francesco Spotorno/AFP]
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Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
People seek information about their loved ones outside the nightclub. [Francesco Spotorno/AFP]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
A relative of a missing person is comforted by friends outside Jet Set after its roof collapsed. [Ricardo Hernandez/AP Photo]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
Rescue workers carry a person pulled from the wreckage of Jet Set. [Ricardo Hernandez/AP Photo]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
People hold up photos of their relatives while waiting to identify them at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology. [Ricardo Hernandez/AP Photo]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
A soldier hydrates while rescue workers search for survivors. [Eddy Vittini/AP Photo]
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Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
Relatives of victims wait outside the nightclub. [Erickson Polanco/AFP]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
People searching for their missing relatives peruse a list of names outside Jet Set. [Ricardo Hernandez/AP Photo]
Rescuers race against time after fatal Dominican nightclub disaster
Relatives are receiving psychological support, officials said, adding, the cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation. [Ricardo Hernandez/AP Photo]