Dominican Republic roof collapse death toll hits 218 as survivor search ends

The government announced late Wednesday that it was moving into a recovery phase after rescue crews searched for survivors for more than 24 hours following the collapse.

The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic capital collapsed during a merengue concert, killing at least 218 people and injuring over 200 more. Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those at Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck early Tuesday.

Officials have said it’s too early to determine why the roof fell. The government has moved to a recovery phase, focused on finding bodies, as dozens of people lingered at hospitals and the forensics institute still anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones.

The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the merengue concert headed by Rubby Pérez began at Jet Set. The club was known for its Monday night merengue parties that drew international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.

A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling and people starting to move away seconds before the entire roof collapses onto them.

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris, according to Abinader’s wife, Raquel Abraje. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital.

Authorities say it’s too early to determine the cause of the disaster. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks in an effort to reach survivors buried under the debris. More than 180 survivors were rescued from the rubble.

It’s unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic or when Jet Set was last inspected.

A Ministry of Public Works spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the mayor’s office for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be reached.