At least 13 people have died after a ceiling collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic during a concert.
The incident occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in the neighbourhood of El Portal.
A further 70 people were injured when the roof collapsed during a performance by merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was also wounded. His condition has not yet been confirmed.
Dramatic footage captured the moment of the collapse, showing the singer performing in front of a dancing crowd when the roof suddenly gave way.
At least 13 people have died after a ceiling collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic during a concert
National Police Dominican Republic
The director of the Emergency Operations Center, Juan Manuel Méndez, confirmed the horror incident.
Emergency services have rushed to the scene to rescue those still trapped beneath the rubble.
More than 56 ambulances have been dispatched to different hospitals, with each carrying up to three patients.
Senior military chiefs are at the location as rescue efforts continue.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- At least 59 dead and more than 150 injured after horror fire breaks out in nightclub in North Macedonia
- British tourist in Spain stabbed to death outside nightclub in brawl with 'other foreigners' as another person rushed to hospital
- Heaven: Major London nightclub closed after woman 'raped outside' by bouncer
Méndez said: "We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble."
He added: "This is a very important situation."
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors beneath the collapsed structure.
Crowds have gathered outside the nightclub as relatives anxiously wait for news of their loved ones.
The incident occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in the neighbourhood of El Portal during a performance by Rubby Perez
One person at the scene told Diario Libre: "We don't know anything, no one is answering their phones."
He explained that his cousins and friends attended the concert but he doesn't know their whereabouts.
Emergency operations chief Mendez revealed that President Luis Abinader is aware of the harrowing situation and "has not slept".
The rescue operation remains ongoing as authorities work to account for all those who attended the concert.
