Over 124 killed, 150 injured as nightclub roof collapse

At least 124 people were killed and about 150 injured after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a live performance by merengue legend Rubby Perez early Tuesday.

Perez and former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel were among the victims. Over 370 rescue workers continue search efforts, though chances of finding more survivors are slim.

President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning and confirmed the death of Monte Cristi governor, Nelsy Cruz.

Witnesses reported a blackout before the collapse of the roof.

The club, operating for over 50 years, is cooperating with investigations. Authorities have appealed for blood donations to support the injured.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply saddened by the tragic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which claimed the lives of at least 113 people, including a retired UN staff member. The incident occurred during a performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Perez on Tuesday.

Among the victims are provincial Governor Nelsy Cruz and two former Major League Baseball players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Dozens of others were injured, with many still receiving treatment.

Guterres conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and people of the Dominican Republic. The United Nations is supporting the authorities’ response and is ready to provide further assistance.

The cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation.

Rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors and provide aid to those affected.

Border tightened

In other news, the Dominican Republic is enacting a fresh series of border restrictions targeting asylum seekers from Haiti as thousands continue to flee amid political instability and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

On Sunday, Dominican President Luis Abinader moved to deploy hundreds of additional soldiers and ordered stepped-up surveillance along the Haitian border.

He’s also vowed to expedite the construction of a border wall. Dominican authorities have been repeatedly accused of widespread violence and human rights abuses against Haitians.

This all comes as humanitarian groups continue to raise alarm over spiraling violence in Haiti, with more than 260 people killed during recent gang attacks on two communities in Port-au-Prince, according to a U.N. report published Monday.

The report details concerns with Haitian authorities and Kenyan armed forces that were deployed to Haiti, which on one occasion took at least five hours to respond to a gang attack. Haitians have repeatedly taken to the streets to protest the government’s failure to address the security crisis as armed gangs have now seized some 85% of the capital.

About Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, sharing a border with Haiti. The country has a tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from 73.5°F in January to 80°F in August.

The Dominican Republic has the fastest-growing economy in the Western Hemisphere, with an average real GDP growth rate of 5.3% between 1992 and 2018. The country is the most visited destination in the Caribbean, with a growing tourism industry. It’s also rich in gold, with the Pueblo Viejo mine being one of the largest gold mines in the country.

Spanish is the official language, and the population is approximately 11.4 million people, with 3.6 million residing in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The country has a rich history, with the first cathedral, palace, monastery, and fortress built in the Americas located in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, a World Heritage Site.

The Dominican Republic is a multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Senate and Chamber of Deputies), and Luis Abinader is the current president. Recently, the country has tightened border controls with Haiti amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

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