Burials begin as Dominican Republic ends search at collapsed nightclub; death toll mounts to 221

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have ended their search for bodies trapped in the Jet Set nightclub after the tragic roof collapse that claimed the lives of 221 people earlier this week.
Officials revealed on Thursday that there were 221 fatalities reported and 189 people rescued from the rubble. More than 200 were injured with 23 of them still hospitalized including eight in critical condition.
Mourners were seen clad in black and white at the Santo Domingo’s National Theatre. Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and first lady Raquel Arbaje arrived at the theatre and stood beside singer Rubby Pérez’s coffin, a singer who died in the incident.
After a five-hour memorial, mourners released dozens of white balloons outside the theater and spontaneously sang “Volveré” in unison. More than 20 victims came from Haina, a town in the southwest of Santo Domingo. The governor held a communal wake, setting up 10 stands for coffins beneath a banner that read: “Haina bids farewell to her beloved children with immense sorrow.”
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, broke down as he was briefing the media. “Thank you, God, because today we accomplished the most difficult task I’ve had in 20 years,” he said, moving the microphone away from his face as he cried. Other officials patted him on the back as he continued, “Please forgive me”.
The incident also claimed the lives of Luis Solis, a retired United Nations official, New York-based fashion designer Martin Polanco, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera and three employees of Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.
An investigation is still underway into what caused the disaster or when the building was last inspected. The government has assured that it will carry out a thorough inquiry, and the club’s owners have said they are cooperating with the authorities.