At least 98 people have been killed and 160 injured after a roof collapsed at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
Hundreds of rescuers are desperately searching for potential survivors at the Jet Set in the Caribbean nation’s capital Santo Domingo.
Tragedy struck in the early hours of Tuesday during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes and others.
The roof of the one-storey building in the city’s lively Plaza El Portal collapsed during a performance by Dominican singer Rubby Pérez.
Footage taken inside the venue showed some people sitting at tables and others dancing as a man standing next to the stage points to the roof saying "something fell from the ceiling".
Mr Pérez, 69, was among those who died in the incident, along with provisional governor Nelsy Cruz and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel, 51, and Tony Blanco, 43.
More than 400 emergency workers were still pulling out survivors from under the debris amid faint cries for help. Officials fear the death toll will rise further.
"We're hearing some sounds,” Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said. “We're going to search tirelessly for people."
Authorities set up a makeshift morgue near the club while more than 120 people lined up to donate blood at two different centers.
We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive
Those looking for their family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns.
President Luis Abinader, who arrived at the scene and hugged those mourning, said: "We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive.”
Ms Cruz, governor of northern Monte Cristi and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, had called Mr Abinader at 12:49am, saying she was trapped, first lady Raquel Abraje said.
"This is too great a tragedy," the first lady said, her voice breaking.
It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse or when the Jet Set was last inspected.
The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities and noted that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the country and returned late Tuesday.
"There are no words to express the pain this event has caused,” Mr Espaillat said. “What happened has been devastating for everyone.”
