Death toll from nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic increases to 79 - Official

BUENOS AIRES - The death toll from a roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 79, Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the country's emergency operations centre, said on Wednesday, adding that 155 people have been hospitalised, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

Dominican merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing at the nightclub when the roof collapsed, was rescued from the rubble, his daughter Zulinka reportedly said.

Rescue teams evacuate a body from the Jet Set nightclub following the collapse of its roof in Santo Domingo. Photo by Francesco Spotorno/AFP

In the early hours of Monday, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub, located in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, collapsed while the club was full of people.

Dominican President Luis Abinader signed a decree calling for a three-day national mourning for the victims of the tragedy. - BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI