Number of dead in nightclub roof collapse disaster rises to 225

The number of people who have died after a nightclub roof collapsed in the capital of the Dominican Republic has risen to 225.

Officials said 189 people were rescued alive from the rubble of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo after the disaster on Tuesday, with 15 still in hospital, including five in a critical condition. Four people died overnight, raising the total number who have died to 225 by Saturday and health authorities said all of their bodies have been returned to their families.

Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those enjoying live music when the roof collapsed during a merengue concert. President Luis Abinader and his wife Raquel Arbaje attended the burial of the singer Rubby Perez in the city's National Theatre on Thursday.

Other victims identified so far include former Major League Baseball (MLB) players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, whose brother is seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, also died.

Health minister Victor Attalah told journalists on Saturday there was a delay in identifying victims because the majority of them had to be matched using biometric data. Read more from Sky News:Smartphones and laptops excluded from Trump tariffsWhy is hot spring weather sliding away? Officials have said it is too soon to determine why the roof fell, although prosecutors visited the scene on Thursday after rescue crews began packing up and removed heavy equipment.

Perez was on stage at the packed club when dust began falling from the ceiling early on Tuesday and seconds later the roof caved in. Mourners dressed in black and white attended his funeral with some in tears as a recording of him singing the national anthem played..