Search and recovery efforts continued through the early hours of Wednesday after a catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican capital claimed the lives of at least 98 people, in one of the worst tragedies the country has seen in recent years.
Among the deceased was internationally renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who had been performing at the iconic venue when the collapse occurred shortly after midnight. According to his manager, Pérez was on stage when a sudden power outage was followed by the roof caving in. His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, who was present at the scene, managed to escape the wreckage but confirmed her father did not survive.
The incident has shaken the nation. President Luis Abinader announced three days of national mourning, confirming the death of Monte Cristi municipal governor Nelsy Cruz in the collapse. “We mourn with the families affected and remain committed to uncovering the cause of this tragic event,” he stated.
The Emergency Operations Center reported that 370 emergency personnel were deployed to the scene in Santo Domingo, working tirelessly to locate survivors beneath the wreckage of steel, concrete, and corrugated metal. No survivors have been located since 3 p.m. Tuesday, said Juan Manuel Méndez, the center’s director.
The death toll includes other high-profile individuals, such as former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Dotel, 51, was initially rescued alive but succumbed to his injuries later in hospital, according to local media.
The club, which has a listed capacity of 1,700, reportedly held between 500 and 1,000 patrons at the time of the incident. Eyewitnesses described the scene as apocalyptic. Concertgoer Iris Peña recounted how she and her son narrowly escaped moments before the collapse: “At one point, dirt started falling into our drinks. Then a stone cracked our table. We ran. It felt like an earthquake.”
Family members gathered in anguish, scanning hospital lists and clinging to hope. “We are desperate,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was in attendance at the concert. “There’s no information. We’re not being told anything.”
Drone footage revealed a gaping hole where the club’s roof once stood. Rescue workers used cranes and hand tools to sift through the debris, as authorities issued a national appeal for blood donations.
Artists across Latin America mourned the loss of Rubby Pérez. “The friend and idol of our genre has left us,” wrote fellow merengue legend Wilfrido Vargas. Puerto Rican singer Olga Tañón expressed heartbreak: “Maestro, what a great pain he leaves us.”
The Jet Set nightclub, in operation for over 50 years, was known for its iconic Monday night shows. In a statement, the venue said it was working “fully and transparently” with authorities as investigations proceed. Its last social media post invited fans to “enjoy his [Pérez’s] greatest hits and dance in the country’s best nightclub.”
This disaster follows a 2023 explosion at a plastics company in San Cristóbal that killed 40 people and injured dozens, and a 2005 prison fire that claimed over 130 lives. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the Dominican economy, accounting for 15% of GDP, with millions drawn annually to its vibrant culture, nightlife, and historic architecture.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse. Investigations are ongoing.
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