The death toll from a nightclub roof collapse in the capital of the Caribbean country Dominican Republic has risen to 225. Four people died overnight, bringing the death toll to Saturday.
Officials in the country said that 189 people were rescued alive from the rubble of the club in Santo Domingo after Tuesday’s accident. Fifteen of the injured are still receiving treatment in hospital. Five of the injured are in critical condition.
Meanwhile, the bodies of all the deceased have been handed over to their families, the country’s health authorities said.
The nightclub was hosting a concert by popular merengue singer Ruby Perez when the roof collapsed. Among the music lovers present were politicians, athletes and a fashion designer. Ruby Perez herself died in the accident.
President Luis Abinadar and his wife Raquel Arbaaz paid their respects at the tomb of singer Ruby Perez at the city’s National Theater on Thursday.
Other victims identified so far include former Major League Baseball (MLB) players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, and her brother, seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, also died.
Dominican Republic Health Minister Victor Attallah told reporters on Saturday (April 12) that there were delays in identifying the victims because most of them had to be identified using biometric data. Officials said it was now urgent to determine why the roof collapsed, although authorities inspected the scene on Thursday after rescue teams had set up heavy equipment.
It is worth noting that dust first started falling from the roof of the nightclub on Tuesday morning. A few seconds later, the roof collapsed. Singer Perez was on stage at the crowded club at the time.
Singer Ruby Perez’s funeral was held at the city’s National Theatre last Thursday. Mourners dressed in black and white attended Perez’s funeral. A recording of the national anthem sung by the famous artist was played there.
Source: Sky News.