Over 120 killed in nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic

Rescuers raced to find survivors on April 9 after the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed during a concert by popular singer Rubby Perez, who was one of 124 people killed in the disaster.

- 

SANTO DOMINGO -

Rescue workers were pressing on with the search effort, with the focus on recovering bodies from the rubble more than 24 hours after the roof caved in.

Renowned Dominican merengue singer Perez, who was performing at the Jet Set nightclub for hundreds of people before the roof collapsed shortly after midnight on April 8, had been killed, according to his manager.

Relatives of club-goers gathered around the disaster site in the capital Santo Domingo as rescuers ferried the injured to hospital and used a crane to remove debris.

"We have some friends, a niece, a cousin... who are in the rubble," Mr. Rodolfo Espinal told AFP, as he waited for information on his loved ones.

About 370 rescue personnel combed mounds of fallen bricks, steel bars and tin sheets for survivors. Also among the dead were former US Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.

Mr. Dotel, who was 51 years old, was rescued alive but later died of his injuries, local media reported.

A black-and-white photo of the player and images of the Dominican flag were projected onto the scoreboard at Citi Field in New York before April 8's game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins.