Death Toll in Dominican Republic Roof Collapse Hits 113

Hopes of finding more survivors in the fatal roof collapse of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic began to fade on Wednesday, as the authorities acknowledged that they had not found anyone alive in the rubble since Tuesday afternoon.

The roof at Jet Set, a popular dance club in Santo Domingo, caved in early Tuesday during a live merengue concert, so far killing at least 113 people, Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Dominican Emergency Operations Center, said on Wednesday.

The authorities used heavy machinery, dogs, drones and other special equipment to sift through the rubble to find survivors and recover bodies as families gathered outside for news of their loved ones.

“We have the same number of transfers to the hospital as 3 p.m. yesterday: 155,” Mr. Méndez said, stressing that the ambulances often carried more than one person.

Mr. Méndez confirmed the death of Rubby Pérez, the entertainer who was performing when the roof caved in at about 12:45 a.m. His body was recovered early Wednesday, the official said.

The disaster at Jet Set was a devastating blow in the Dominican Republic, where for decades people had gathered at the popular club, particularly on Monday nights. Entertainers, athletes and politicians frequented the club, and that roster of boldface-name guests was reflected in the death toll.

Two former Major League Baseball players died, as did a governor and a well-known fashion designer. A member of the Dominican congress was seriously wounded.