Dominicans in Central Virginia feel the weight of tragic roof collapse in Dominican Republic

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Dominican community in Central Virginia is feeling the pain of those overseas as many are yet to be recovered after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

As of 6 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, at least 184 people have been killed, with hundreds injured.

The incident happened Tuesday, after midnight, as the concert, led by Dominican merengue legend Rubby Pérez sang to the crowd filled with prominent musicians, athletes, government professionals and more.

Dust began to fall from the ceiling onto people's drinks, and the entire roof collapsed minutes later.

The slabs of concrete killed some instantly but left others trapped.

Of the hundreds killed were Rubby Pérez, Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi who is also the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.

"Everybody in my country has emotions right now," said Freddy Santana, a barber for Mass Flow Dominican Barbershop. "My country is devastated by that situation. For people like me [and] my age—we grew up with this music. This singer [Perez] has a lot of music that I love... merengue is Dominican Republic music, originally from the Dominican Republic."

8News had the chance to speak with many Dominicans in the Central region of the tragedy striking the Caribbean country.

"It's really sad... a very sad situation to see so many people crying for their families. It's something that you don't have words for." said Jeancarlos Ventura, barber for Mass Flow Dominican Barbershop. "A great singer, and in the middle of all that, the Dominican crowd, plus the fact that they were all Dominican -- it's such a shame that all of that happened."

Santana told 8News with search efforts continuing, he believes the death toll will only continue to rise but he and others must continue.

"We have no choice, we have to make money," Santana said. "You have to keep going!"

Michel Zajur, Founder and CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce says the chamber is open to help those in the Commonwealth who are in need when tragedy strikes their native land.

"A lot of times when there's an event like this that happens abroad or here in the United States, we try to connect people to the appropriate channels," Zajur said. "We try to make sure that people have the knowledge to get the income that they are looking for—the outcome they are looking for. Something specifically like this, like you said, mental health—it's a tragedy especially if you are affected."

Stick with 8News as this is a developing story.