Authorities raised the death toll from the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse to 184 as rescue efforts turned toward recovery. Emergency director Juan Manuel Mendez confirmed the updated toll on Thursday, calling it preliminary and subject to change.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mendez vowed that responders would continue searching until all victims, living or deceased, were recovered. The Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo had hosted dozens of guests, including athletes and government officials, during Tuesday’s tragic event.
Witnesses said dust began falling from the ceiling into drinks just moments before the structure crashed. Outside the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, families waited in anguish, seeking updates about missing loved ones amid rising casualty numbers.
Officials had identified 54 victims by name and returned 28 bodies to their families by Wednesday evening. Another 33 bodies remained unidentified, and authorities had not released a full count of all recovered remains at press time.
Officials have asked the public for patience as forensic teams continue working to match names with victims. More than 150 people suffered injuries during the collapse, with over 20 still hospitalized as of Thursday, officials reported.
At least eight victims remain in critical condition due to extensive injuries sustained under the debris. Dr Julio Landron, head of the Dr Ney Arias Lora Trauma Hospital, described survivors’ injuries as severe and life-threatening.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the structural failure at the nightclub, a landmark venue in the capital. The nightclub issued a public statement pledging gull cooperation with ongoing investigations led by officials.
The Ministry of Public Works redirected all inquiries to Santo Domingo’s mayor’s office, which has not commented publicly. The investigation into the collapse is ongoing, and grieving families await answers.
