Introduction to the Tragedy
A roof collapse at the legendary Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo has plunged the Dominican Republic into mourning.
Authorities say the disaster early Tuesday killed 221 people and injured more than 200 others. Nearly two dozen people remain hospitalized, with several in critical condition.
Aftermath and Identification Process
Relatives waited for news of their loved ones at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which has become a place of anguish. A screen set up nearby showed the names of victims in different colors. Those in black meant that the bodies were ready but that no one had picked them up, while those in green meant the relatives had identified them.
Families’ Ordeal
Under a tarp, government officials met with family members who presented official documents of their loved ones in order to pick up their remains. "My parents, both of them…they came just to have fun," said Ester Lopez of New York. Lopez came to the Dominican Republic to take her parents back to the Bronx. Days later, she still doesn’t have their bodies. "I’m not going to be able to recognize my family," she said.
Personal Stories of Loss
One woman lost her uncle, 53-year-old Johnny Garcia Abreu, who worked security at the doomed nightclub. Her family has been waiting since Tuesday. "There are no doctors to perform autopsies," she said in Spanish. "…We want to give our family a Christian burial." Larry Reyes lost three of his relatives that night. His two female cousins remain inside the morgue. Melvin Gil showed a picture of his 20-year-old niece, who perished. “Things here have been chaotic," he said in Spanish.
Conclusion
The roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub has left the Dominican Republic in a state of mourning, with many families still waiting for news of their loved ones. The identification process has been slow, and many are frustrated with the lack of progress. The tragedy has highlighted the need for improved safety measures in public places and the importance of providing support to those affected by such disasters.
FAQs
Q: What happened at the Jet Set nightclub?
A: A roof collapse occurred at the nightclub, resulting in the deaths of 221 people and injuring over 200 others.
Q: How many people are still hospitalized?
A: Nearly two dozen people remain hospitalized, with several in critical condition.
Q: What is the current status of the identification process?
A: The identification process is ongoing, with relatives waiting for news of their loved ones at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology.
Q: What are the concerns of the families affected?
A: Families are concerned about the slow identification process, the lack of doctors to perform autopsies, and the desire to give their loved ones a proper burial.
