The number of deaths in the tragic roof collapse of a nightclub has risen to 200 as of Wednesday in the Dominican Republic. The roof caved in Tuesday night at the crowded Jet Set Club, and rescue teams worked round the clock to search for survivors and pull bodies out of the rubble.
Dozens of family members are still posted outside the wreckage, hoping for word about their missing relatives. Several have provided identification information to police in hopes of hearing something as the rescue mission goes into its second day.
Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the country’s emergency operations center, confirmed during a press conference that teams are still combing through the rubble. “We’re not going to abandon anyone. Our work will continue,” he said, assuring families that rescue crews remain committed to recovering everyone trapped beneath the debris.
Hopes Fade as No Survivors Found in 24 Hours
Even with the ongoing efforts, no survivors have been rescued by officials since Tuesday. Mendez admitted the sad fact that hopes are fading. He added that emergency responders would keep working until the last body was recovered.
“In the coming hours there will be a transition from a search and rescue phase to the recovery of the bodies phase,” said Homero Figueroa, the presidential spokesperson of the Dominican Republic.
Officials are still hesitant to confirm how many individuals were present within the club at the time of its collapse. Despite this, it has been reported by officials that 155 victims had been extracted from the debris and rushed to hospitals for medical attention. It is still not clear what their conditions are.
While rescue officials prepare themselves for what might become a search for survivors, victim families also await closure from the destruction.