The tragic incident at the famed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, continues to get even more devastating as the death toll exceeds 100. Rescuers have been searching nonstop since the club’s roof caved in early Tuesday morning during a live performance, leaving scores injured and missing.
According to reports, the roof collapsed shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday while renowned artiste Rubby Pérez performed with his orchestra. The club reportedly had around 300 people in it when it collapsed. Initial reports stated that Pérez was found and transported to the hospital with the injured. However, a subsequent report from CNN suggests that the singer has been named among those killed in the incident.
The report cited officials who said that his body was found among the wreckage Wednesday morning.
Authorities have so far reported at least 124 deaths, including two former Major League Baseball players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Additionally, Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province, is also among the deceased, which consists of 33 unknown victims.
Emergency Operations Center director Juan Manuel Méndez reported that 145 people were rescued alive from the ruins. As the search, which started Tuesday, continued into Wednesday, many are feared still trapped beneath the debris.
Circulating footage and pictures of the venue show a giant hole where the roof once stood. Rescuers can also be seen searching through the debris. Additional videos have gone viral, showing the chilling moment when the roof started to collapse on attendees, causing loud screams to fill the air. Many grieving family and friends were gathered outside the venue since the incident, waiting for news about their loved ones.
“The past two days have been difficult because when people are trapped, you’re not feeling well mentally,” a rescuer told CNN. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collapse, per the report.