Nightclub fire kills 27 in Dominican Republic

At least 27 people have died and more than 120 were injured after a roof fell collapsed during a concert at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic early on Tuesday.

Part of the building caved in at around 1am local time while a singer and orchestra performed, and at least 300 people were inside the venue at the time.

Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at Jet Set in the country's capital Santo Domingo, according to the Centre of Emergency Operations.

Nelsy Cruz, governor of the city Montecristi, was among the victims. 

Meanwhile, among those injured was merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, officials said.

His manager Enrique Paulino told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group's saxophonist.

The Jet Set nightclub is one of the Caribbean nation’s best-known venues, and its Monday night events are particularly well attended. 

President Luis Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.

Source: Agencies