Mayor Eric Adams flies to Dominican Republic after nightclub roof collapse
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is traveling to the Dominican Republic to pay respects to the victims of the deadly roof collapse on the island.
Adams flew out Sunday with a group of elected city leaders after the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub killed over 200 people and injured hundreds more.
The victims included Manuel Diaz, a 31-year old father from the Bronx, retired NYPD Det. Emmanuel Gomez, and former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.
Dominican authorities have since ended the rescue operation and are now trying to figure out what caused the nightclub's cement roof to fall onto the crowd early Tuesday.
Mayor Adams leading delegation to Dominican Republic
Adams said the trip is necessary since he runs the city with the largest Dominican population outside the island.
The delegation traveling with him includes Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez, a Dominican native, who said the next few days will be important.
"This is a moment of solidarity and personal faith, and this is a day where we are celebrating as the Catholics we are, the Holy Week," Rodriguez said. "A week of reflections, a week for prayer."
Flags at City Hall have been lowered in an effort to stand in solidarity with the local Dominican community.
The mayor is scheduled return to New York City on Tuesday.
Dominican community in NYC, Yonkers mourns
In Washington Heights on Sunday, the community gathered for a vigil where they released balloons, carried Dominican flags, and lit candles.
"We feel what they feel. We lost a lot of family member -- daughters, sons, father, mothers," Odell Suero said. "We are in a lot of pain. We are in grief, and we want to show support to our community."
"We have to love each other, love our family, love our fiends and let them know who much we love them," Wilton Mejia added.
CBS News New York spoke to one woman who said she was supposed to be at the nightclub for a birthday party with friends.
"But then when I was walking to my room to change my clothes something inside me said don't go, and I decide not to go," Laura Fernandez said.
In Yonkers, people gathered late Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Park for a prayer vigil.
"We are very tight here. Even though we're still very tight-knit community, we have a great spirit in times of sorrow. We all come together. It doesn't matter what distance we have between us," Gilbert Gutierez said.
Dozens gathered at the 809 Restaurant in Inwood on Saturday to remember the victims.
"This happened in the Dominican Republic, but we are here in the Dominican community showing love for our people, letting them know that they're not alone," Shery Olivo said.
