Looting Erupts After Major Market Fire in Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic: Looting Follows Major Market Fire in Santo Domingo A fire that broke out Sunday at the Merca Santo Domingo market resulted in significant damage and looting, according to reports. Firefighters are still working to fully extinguish the blaze, which affected several warehouses. Authorities have stated that 95% of the fire is under control, but efforts to remove debris and eliminate remaining hot spots continue. Videos circulating on social media show people taking advantage of the chaos to steal merchandise. One video shows individuals carrying bags of what appears to be grain and other goods from a damaged store. "It was chaos," said one eyewitness who preferred to remain anonymous. "People were running everywhere, grabbing whatever they could." The extent of the damage and the value of the stolen goods are still being assessed. Authorities are investigating the incident and plan to take action against those involved in the looting. The event highlights the challenges of maintaining order during emergencies and the vulnerability of businesses in the aftermath of disasters. The city is working to support affected merchants and restore the market to its operational state.