The death toll from a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic has risen as crews continue to search for potential survivors.

The death toll from a collapsed roof at a nightclub in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo has reached at least 98, officials say.

At least 160 were injured with crews searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-storey Jet Set nightclub, said Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations. 

"We continue clearing debris and searching for people," he said. "We're going to search tirelessly for people." 

Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed during a merengue concert, rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from under the debris.

Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed pieces of wood as planks to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air. 

Mendez said rescue crews were prioritising three areas in the club, adding: "We're hearing some sounds." 

With AAP.