Daughter of man missing after nightclub roof collapsed reveals last-minute decision that could have saved her mom's life
Topics: World News, Parenting
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: ALFRED DAVIES/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: World News, Parenting
A teenager has opened up about the Dominican Republic nightclub roof disaster having began as 'just another Monday night' for her parents and being forced to 'sit and wait it out'.
On the morning of April 8, the roof of Jet Set nightclub in southern Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed.
At least 184 people have been killed and over 255 people are injured, PA reports.
While many have spoken out to pay tribute to those lost, the search for survivors continues, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Juan Manuel Méndez, assuring: "We’re going to search tirelessly for people."
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And 17-year-old Shailyn Peña has since spoken out about still not knowing what's happened to her dad Máximo and where her mom was on the fateful night too.
Peña told the BBC it was 'just another Monday night' for her parents - her father going to the club and actually inviting her mom to come too.
"But at the last minute she decided not to go," Peña continued. "It was a blessing in disguise."
Peña says her cousin is a rescue worker helping to go through the debris in search of survivors and that her cousin's own uncle was also at the club that night.
Peña has yet to hear 'any news about any of them'.
She added: "I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out. But as much as I want to, I really can't. I just have to sit here and wait it out."
Méndez added: "Nothing can be ruled out. We are going to go over every inch of the rubble here to give the families of those caught up in the disaster some kind of closure."
The country's former public health minister, Senator Daniel Rivera, has also addressed the tragedy.
He said: "There’s a lot of pain. We need to have a lot of patience."
Dominican President Luis Abinader declared three days of mourning following the roof's collapse.
In a statement shared on Twitter, he said: "We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families."
Jet Set club said in a statement: [Translated] "There are no words to express the pain this event has caused.
"What happened has been devastating for everyone. We want you to know that we are with you and that we share your anguish.
"As the Jet Set family, we are with you. To you, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and loved ones of those affected: you can count on us."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].