Jet Set roof collapse: Death toll climbs to 218; search for survivors continues

Santo Domingo: The number of deaths following the roof collapse at the iconic Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic rose to 218 on Thursday, according to officials.

Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations, confirmed that crews were still searching the scene for victims and possible survivors. However, no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon.

“We're not going to abandon anyone. Our work will continue,” he said.

Families await answers

Dozens of people in the capital, Santo Domingo, continued to search for their missing relatives, expressing growing frustration at the lack of information after visiting local hospitals and the country's forensic institute.

Doctors warned that some of the two dozen patients still hospitalised remain in critical condition, including eight whose lives hang in the balance.

“If the trauma is too great, there's not a lot of time,” said Health Minister Víctor Atallah.

Medical professionals reported injuries including fractures to the skull, femur and pelvis, caused by heavy concrete slabs falling on attendees of a merengue concert at the club, which left more than 200 people injured.

Transition to recovery phase

While the government announced on Wednesday night that the situation had shifted to a recovery phase focused on locating bodies, Mendez insisted that the search for survivors would not stop.

The roof collapse occurred early Tuesday during a performance at the packed nightclub. Patrons reported dust falling from the ceiling into drinks shortly before the structure gave way.

High-profile victims among the dead

Victims of the collapse include merengue legend Rubby Perez, who was performing onstage at the time; former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; and Nelsy Cruz, governor of the north-western province of Montecristi, whose brother is MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.

Also among the dead are a retired United Nations official; saxophonist Luis Solís, who was also on stage; New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco; the son and daughter-in-law of the Minister of Public Works; the brother of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Youth; and three employees of Grupo Popular, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

Emergency response detailed

Randolfo Rijo Gómez, head of the national 911 emergency service, said the agency received over 100 calls, some made by people trapped under the rubble. Police arrived within 90 seconds, followed by first response units.

In under 30 minutes, 25 soldiers, seven fire brigades, and 77 ambulances were deployed, he said.

Search teams used dogs and thermal cameras to look for survivors and recovered 145 people from the debris, officials reported.

Investigation to follow recovery

The cause of the roof collapse remains unknown, and it is unclear when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The government stated that a full investigation would begin once the recovery phase concludes.

The nightclub issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club said questions about inspections were passed on.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works referred queries to the mayor’s office, which has yet to respond.

AP