Almost 125 are confirmed dead and more than 150 injured in the aftermath of a roof collapse at a Dominican Republic nightclub in the early hours of April 8.
Officials were continuing rescue efforts a day later, according to NBC News, which reported that the cause of the collapse had yet to be determined. Observers claimed that giant cranes were on site removing pieces of the roof as the recovery efforts continued.
The country’s emergency operations center reported that the country’s navy and fire service was also involved in the rescue efforts.
A merengue singer, Rubby Perez, was performing when reportedly dust started falling from the ceiling and on to people shortly before the roof collapsed. Perez’s body was confirmed as one of the deceased.
Among the other notable deaths were two retired veteran Major League Baseball players, including longtime pitcher Octavio Dotel and one of the country’s governors, Nelsy Cruz, who was trapped in the wreckage and reportedly called President Luis Abinader about the tragedy but later passed away.
Dave Lubach is executive editor for the facilities market.
