**Tragedy Strikes Santo Domingo: Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims Numerous Lives**

*In a heartbreaking turn of events, a nightclub in Santo Domingo has succumbed to a catastrophic roof collapse during a concert, resulting in significant casualties and prompting extensive rescue efforts.*

At least 79 individuals are confirmed dead, with over 150 sustaining injuries following a roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, authorities report. Among the casualties are notable figures such as Octavio Dotel, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital after being rescued from the rubble. The tragedy struck during a concert by renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, drawing a large crowd at the venue.

Approximately 400 rescue personnel are tirelessly scouring the wreckage, amid fears that more victims may still be trapped. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), expressed cautious optimism regarding the possibility of finding survivors beneath the debris. The Jet Set nightclub, a popular spot for dance music events, was packed with concert-goers when the disaster occurred just after 1 AM.

In addition to Dotel, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of famed baseball player Nelson Cruz, was also among those lost. Video footage from inside the nightclub captured alarming moments leading up to the collapse, as attendees expressed confusion and distress before the catastrophic event unfolded.

As the nation mourns, President Luis Abinader extended condolences to the grieving families affected by this tragedy. The investigation into the causes of the roof's structural failure is expected to begin, as questions arise regarding safety standards at the venue.