At least 13 dead & survivors trapped under rubble as ceiling collapses at nightclub during concert in Dominican Republic
AT least 13 people have died after a ceiling collapsed at a nightclub during a concert in the Dominican Republic.
Authorities have scrambled to the scene to save those still alive underneath the rubble in the Jet Set nightclub, situated in the neighbourhood of El Portal.
A further 70 people were injured after the roof collapsed during the concert of the merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was also wounded.
Dramatic footage shows the singer performing in front of a dancing crowd when suddenly the roof collapsed.
The director of the Emergency Operations Center, Juan Manuel Méndez, confirmed the horror incident.
He said: “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble.”
Speaking to Diario Libre: he added: “More than 56 ambulances , each carrying up to three patients, have been dispatched to different hospitals.
“This is a very important situation.”
So far the condition of the singer at the concert, Rubby Perez, has not been confirmed.
People have gathered outside the nightclub as family members and friends of those who attended the concert wait for information of their loved ones.
One person at the scene of the horror ceiling collapse told Diario Libre: “We don’t know anything, no one is answering their phones.”
He explained that his cousins and friends were at the concert but doesn’t know where they are.
Senior military chefs are at the scene as emergency services work to rescue concert-goers under the rubble.
Emergency operations chief Mendez also revealed that President Luis Abinader is aware of the harrowing situation and “has not slept”.
A mere few weeks ago tragedy struck at a nightclub in North Macedonia after it erupted into flames.
Club Pulse turned into inferno during a concert overnight on Saturday, leaving at least 59 young partygoers dead and another 155 injured – 22 of whom were in critical condition.
Local hip-hop duo, DNK, were performing at the time as harrowing footage shows flames starting to burn directly above the stage.
Video posted on social media shows how the building was quickly engulfed in flames as clouds of smoke billow into the sky.
Terrifying sparks can be seen bursting through the roof in a separate clip.
Those trapped inside the burning building were said to have frantically ran for the exit as smoke filled the venue.
Recalling the harrowing moment, she told Sky News: “The fire broke out suddenly and everyone started running for the exit.
“There were charred bodies. I don’t know… everyone is stressed.”
Around 500 people were partying in the concert hall at the time, according to local media, but only 250 were sold.
She was rushed to hospital to receive treatment before she started a frantic search for her missing sister who was also in the club.