Shocking footage: Moments before deadly roof collapse at Dominican nightclub | VIDEO

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: A devastating roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital early Tuesday claimed at least 79 lives and left 160 others injured. The incident occurred during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes, and other guests.

A video captured moments before the collapse showed a lively scene—dancers on stage, the audience cheering—before the roof suddenly caved in, turning the celebration into chaos. Emergency crews worked through the night to search for survivors in the rubble of the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo.

Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, confirmed the ongoing search efforts. "We continue to clear debris and look for survivors," he said on Tuesday evening. "We will not stop until we find everyone."

Nearly 12 hours after the collapse, rescuers were still pulling survivors from beneath the wreckage, carefully listening for any faint cries for help. Firefighters used sawed pieces of wood as makeshift planks to lift heavy debris, with the sound of drills punctuating the air as they broke through concrete.

Méndez reported that rescue teams were focusing on three key areas within the nightclub, where they had heard sounds that suggested people might still be alive.

Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m. to inform him that she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed. First Lady Raquel Abraje later confirmed that Cruz died at the hospital.

"This is an unimaginable tragedy," Abraje said, her voice breaking with emotion as she spoke to reporters.