section_path: Collapse
section_name: Collapse
paragraph_text: Collapse
  
  According to eyewitness accounts, the roof gave way without warning roughly one hour into the musical performance. The cause of the structural failure remains undetermined, though investigators began examining the site once rescue operations permitted. A musician playing alongside Rubby Pérez said that the venue was full at the time of collapse, and that he initially believed an earthquake had occurred. First Lady of the Dominican Republic Raquel Arbaje reported that trapped governor of Monte Cristi Province Nelsy Cruz telephoned President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., shortly after the collapse.