At least 13 people have lost their lives following a catastrophic roof collapse at a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during a vibrant concert featuring renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, leading to chaos as attendees were caught off guard.

Emergency rescue teams have been rapidly mobilized to search for individuals who may still be trapped beneath the rubble. Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), reported that efforts are ongoing but emphasized optimism in finding survivors. So far, ambulances have transported a total of 93 patients to local hospitals, with some ambulances carrying multiple individuals at once.

As of now, the exact reasons behind the sudden roof collapse remain unclear, prompting an investigation. President Luis Abinader has publicly shared his condolences, shedding light on the national sorrow stemming from this tragic event. The community, while reeling from this disaster, is rallying behind the rescue teams as they strive to support those affected and to ascertain the total number of casualties.