The death toll from the tragedy in the Dominican Republic has risen to around 100. Rescuers are still searching for survivors from under the ruins of the nightclub.

Famed Dominican singer Merengue Perez, who was on stage at the popular Jet Set club, was one of the dead.

About 370 rescuers are searching through piles of fallen bricks, steel rods and sheet metal for bodies.

Local media reported that there were between 500 and 1,000 people at the club when the crash happened at around 12:44 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The disco had a capacity for 700 people seated and about 1,000 standing.

Dozens of ambulances rushed the injured to hospital as a crowd of people gathered outside the venue, desperate for news of their loved ones.

Among the dead was the governor of the municipality of Monte Cristi, Nelsie Cruz, President Luis Abinader said. He visited the scene and declared three days of national mourning. | BGNES, AFP