At least 27 people were killed, including the governor, and 134 more people were injured in the early hours of Tuesday when the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo collapsed.

Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Centre, said rescuers are working to pull out people who are still trapped under the rubble.

Mendez has no plans for the number of people believed to be in a jet nightclub near the coast.

President Luis Abinader said the deceased included Governor of Northern Monte Cristi Nelsy Cruz.

“We deeply regret the tragedy,” he wrote on X, adding that authorities are working tirelessly to restore victims. “Our prayers are in the affected families.”