INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed early Tuesday during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes
and others, leaving at least 79 people dead and 160 injured, authorities said.Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at
pulling out survivors from under the debris, shushing those around them so they could listen for faint cries for help
Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed pieces of wood as planks to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking
the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among the
She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., saying she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, first lady Raquel Abraje told
League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, also died
Officials had pulled Dotel from the debris earlier and brought him to a hospital
Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, said league spokesman Satosky Terrero.Late Tuesday night, those still
looking for their family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns.Officials said at least 160
caused the roof to collapse or when the Jet Set building was last inspected.The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with
pain this event has caused
They set up a makeshift morgue near the club while more than 120 people lined up to donate blood at two different centers.Manuel Olivo
Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home, was among those anxiously waiting outside the club known for its traditional
friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces
crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones.Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of
Forensic Pathology, which shared pictures of the victims so their loved ones could identify them.Source: AP--Agencies
