Death toll from Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse rises to 218

The death toll from the collapse of a roof at a prominent nightclub in the Dominican Republic climbed to 218 on Thursday (10 April), according to an official.

Juan Manuel Méndez, who leads the Center of Emergency Operations, said rescue teams remain on site, continuing their search for victims and any potential survivors, though no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon.

"We've practically searched every part of ground zero," he said, noting that just a small section of rubble remains for crews to sift through. "This has been extremely hard on all of us."

Medical personnel have warned that some of the approximately two dozen patients still hospitalised remain in serious condition, particularly eight individuals who are critically ill.

"If the trauma is too severe, time is very limited to save them," said Health Minister Víctor Atallah.

Atallah and other doctors described the injuries as including skull, femur and pelvic fractures, resulting from concrete slabs that fell during a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. Over 200 people were injured.

Dozens of people spent Wednesday searching desperately for missing loved ones, expressing frustration after receiving no information from hospitals or the national forensic institute. By Thursday, only one family was still without answers.

María Luisa Taveras told Noticias SIN that she remained in search of her sister.

"We've gone everywhere they told us to," she said, her voice trembling.

Taveras added that her family has divided up responsibilities, with relatives stationed at each hospital and the forensic institute.

On Wednesday night, authorities announced the operation had entered a recovery phase focused on retrieving bodies.

The iconic nightclub was crowded with musicians, professional athletes and government officials early Tuesday when dust began to fall from the ceiling into drinks. Moments later, the roof collapsed.

Among the victims was merengue star Rubby Pérez, who had been performing just before the collapse. Others included former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz; a retired UN official; saxophonist Luis Solís, who was playing onstage; New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco; the son and daughter-in-law of the public works minister; the brother of the deputy youth minister; and three Grupo Popular employees, including the AFP Popular Bank president and his wife.

Randolfo Rijo Gómez, head of the national 911 service, said more than 100 emergency calls were received, some from people trapped beneath the debris. He noted that police reached the site within 90 seconds, followed shortly by emergency responders. Within 30 minutes, 25 soldiers, seven fire units and 77 ambulances were deployed.

Authorities said more than 180 survivors were rescued from the rubble using dogs and thermal imaging equipment.

It remains unclear what led to the roof collapse or when the Jet Set nightclub was last inspected.

Officials stated Wednesday evening that a full investigation will commence after recovery efforts conclude.

The nightclub issued a statement saying it is cooperating with authorities. A representative of the club's owning family told The Associated Press that questions regarding inspections were forwarded to the relevant parties.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works redirected enquiries to the mayor's office. The mayor's office did not respond to requests for comment.