The Dominican Republic has been deeply shaken by the devastating nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, which has claimed the lives of at least 79 people and injured over 220 others. The tragedy struck in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Jet Set nightclub, a legendary venue in the capital, during a performance by renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez.
The collapse occurred nearly an hour into the concert, sending concrete and steel crashing onto the hundreds of patrons gathered for the club’s iconic Jet Set Mondays. At least 300 people were believed to be inside the venue when the disaster unfolded. A viral video captured the haunting moment when ceiling fixtures started to fall, followed by the entire roof, and panicked screams filled the room before the footage cut to black.
Among the victims were high-profile figures, including former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, merengue saxophonist Rafael Pérez, and Monte Cristi governor Nelsy Cruz, sister to baseball star Nelson Cruz. Dotel, who played for 13 Major League teams and helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the 2011 World Series, was pulled alive from the rubble but passed away en route to the hospital.
Emergency workers, joined by firefighters, civil defense personnel, and canine units, have been working around the clock to recover bodies and scour for survivors. Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the country’s Emergency Operations Center, said they were concentrating efforts in three areas of the building where survivors might still be trapped. “We’re hearing some sounds,” Méndez reported, indicating potential signs of life.
The site was visited by President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje, who consoled the grieving families. Abinader declared three days of national mourning, promising ongoing support and an investigation into the cause of the collapse. The government has not confirmed when a formal structural inspection last occurred at the club, which underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015 and was struck by lightning in 2023.
Jet Set, established in 1973, was more than just a mere music venue—it was a cultural landmark. The club has since pledged full cooperation with authorities, stating that the tragedy “has deeply struck the hearts of all of us who are part of Jet Set.”
As search efforts continue and questions linger about the cause, the country remains united in grief and hope.
