Will Ross

As to how long this war will last, we are not the ones who can decide. We'll never yield. We'll fight until we completely triumph.

As to how long this war will last, we are not the ones who can decide. We'll never yield. We'll fight until we completely triumph.

It was a night of music and dance which turned to tragedy in an instant. As revellers and the band began to notice debris falling from the ceiling, suddenly it caved in, killing dozens and trapping scores more. Among the victims, the singer that night, the hugely popular Dominican artist, Ruby Perez, as well as two beloved former baseball players and a local politician.

It was a night of music and dance which turned to tragedy in an instant. As revellers and the band began to notice debris falling from the ceiling, suddenly it caved in, killing dozens and trapping scores more. Among the victims, the singer that night, the hugely popular Dominican artist, Ruby Perez, as well as two beloved former baseball players and a local politician.

By day, the scale of the tragedy became apparent. The entire roof had collapsed onto the band and audience alike. Body after body was brought out on stretchers, covered by blankets. Occasionally, a survivor would emerge too, bolstering hopes of finding more people alive beneath the rubble.

By day, the scale of the tragedy became apparent. The entire roof had collapsed onto the band and audience alike. Body after body was brought out on stretchers, covered by blankets. Occasionally, a survivor would emerge too, bolstering hopes of finding more people alive beneath the rubble.

As I look through the doors of the Jet Set nightclub, there is simply rubble and open air where once there was a roof. People are speaking in hushed tones because it's believed there are still survivors beneath that rubble and the teams are working around the clock to try and reach them.

As I look through the doors of the Jet Set nightclub, there is simply rubble and open air where once there was a roof. People are speaking in hushed tones because it's believed there are still survivors beneath that rubble and the teams are working around the clock to try and reach them.

This was supposed to be a concert by one of the country's most celebrated singers, now the biggest tragedy of its kind in modern Dominican history.

This was supposed to be a concert by one of the country's most celebrated singers, now the biggest tragedy of its kind in modern Dominican history.

Outside the collapsed building, family members sit in the shade, waiting anxiously for news. Among them was Shailene Pena, whose father, Maximo, was still inside, along with her stepmother and aunt. The uncertainty was becoming unbearable, she said.

Outside the collapsed building, family members sit in the shade, waiting anxiously for news. Among them was Shailene Pena, whose father, Maximo, was still inside, along with her stepmother and aunt. The uncertainty was becoming unbearable, she said.

In due course, the relatives will also want to know what caused this tragedy and whether it could have been avoided. Many blame a fire at the venue two years ago, which they fear may have structurally weakened it, especially if the repairs were not properly carried out.

In due course, the relatives will also want to know what caused this tragedy and whether it could have been avoided. Many blame a fire at the venue two years ago, which they fear may have structurally weakened it, especially if the repairs were not properly carried out.

The nightclub owner released a video to express his condolences, saying his team was complying fully and transparently with the authorities. Every few hours, the emergency team delivers a grim update, generally a sharp rise in the number of dead. However, the director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Juan Manuel Mendez, insisted survivors could still be pulled out alive.

The nightclub owner released a video to express his condolences, saying his team was complying fully and transparently with the authorities. Every few hours, the emergency team delivers a grim update, generally a sharp rise in the number of dead. However, the director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Juan Manuel Mendez, insisted survivors could still be pulled out alive.

For now, the families are clinging to that hope, staying as optimistic as they can under the circumstances. But with each passing hour, they know all too well that the hopes grow a little slimmer and the chances of success begin to dwindle.

For now, the families are clinging to that hope, staying as optimistic as they can under the circumstances. But with each passing hour, they know all too well that the hopes grow a little slimmer and the chances of success begin to dwindle.

This BBC Podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

This BBC Podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.