New York City’s mayor visits the Dominican Republic after the deadly nightclub roof collapse

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived in the Dominican Republic on Monday to pay his respects to the scores of people who died last week when the roof of a popular nightclub collapsed in the country’s capital, Santo Domingo.

The visit of the embattled mayor comes as many of the 700,000 Dominicans who live in New York City, representing 8% of its population, mourn the victims who were attending a concert at the Jet Set club on April 7.

Adams first met with police and other local authorities and then visited the site of the club, where he was received by officials, including Victor D’Aza, president of the Dominican Municipal League. It’s the body that regulates the mayors’ offices, which are responsible for granting construction permits and supervising renovations of works.

“This has to be a lesson for more effective supervision, for rigor in compliance with the rules. This is a wake-up call,” D’Aza told The Associated Press.

The death toll rose on Monday from 226 to 231, according to Interior Minister Faride Raful.

Crews rescued 189 people from the rubble, and 12 are still hospitalized. Three of those are in critical condition, according to health officials.

The cause of the roof collapse was not clear and authorities are investigating.

Adams said he offered his assistance to help prevent something similar from happening again in the Dominican Republic.

“I had to come here to a country that has given us your children, to make America what it is,” he said. “My heart is shattered.”

Adams was scheduled to attend a Mass in the evening.

His visit comes as he prepares to run for reelection as an independent following a bribery scandal and anger among supporters of the Democratic politician over his warm relationship with Republican U.S. President Donald Trump.

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