In one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest tragedies in decades, nearly 200 people lost their lives when the reowned Nightclub Roof Collapsed. The incident occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital, where over 300 attendees were gathered early Tuesday morning for a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra. Around 1 a.m., the roof gave way, resulting in significant casualties. Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that Pérez’s body was recovered from the site. According to Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, at least 184 individuals were killed, including two former Major League Baseball players.
Officials have yet to release the precise number of injured individuals, although Méndez mentioned that 145 people rescued on Tuesday were “alive.” The number of those unaccounted for remains uncertain. On Wednesday, emergency responders announced the conclusion of rescue efforts following the recovery of an additional 20 bodies from the debris. Many victims have not yet been identified.
Aerial footage reveals a large, gaping hole in the center of the building where the audience was gathered during the performance.
The cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation.
On Wednesday, desperate families gathered outside the wreckage of the venue, anxiously hoping for the rescue of their loved ones trapped in the debris. Local news footage showed people searching for their relatives’ names on lists posted at a field hospital near the site, while others visited hospitals in a relentless search for updates.
Rescue crews had been working tirelessly since Tuesday to locate any signs of life, but the search has taken a toll. “The past two days have been difficult because when people are trapped, you’re not feeling well mentally,” one responder told CNN.
Footage from inside the venue captures the moment the disaster struck on Tuesday morning.
In one video, the band is performing when someone near the stage notices something falling at the back of the Jet Set club. Moments later, pendant lights begin to fall from the ceiling, followed by the collapse of the entire roof. The video captures the sounds of screams and crashing before it abruptly goes dark.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X Wednesday, at least one U.S. citizen and an unspecified number of U.S. residents lost their lives in this tragic incident.
Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel was among those who died on Tuesday. Méndez and Dotel’s foundation reported that he passed away en route to the hospital after being rescued alive from the rubble, Méndez told CNN.
Dotel’s education academy, Colegio Sabiduría y Baluarte, expressed their sorrow in a statement, noting he leaves “an indelible mark on all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”
Another former major leaguer, Tony Blanco, also lost his life in the collapse, as confirmed by MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred and the Dominican Sports Ministry. “We share in their grief with their family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal rest,” the ministry stated regarding Blanco.
Dominican President Luis Abinader confirmed that Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, was among the deceased. She was related to MLB all-star Nelson Cruz, as noted in a family statement mourning her passing.
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez shared on Instagram that some of his family members in the Dominican Republic are missing. “With a heavy heart, I send condolences to all our family members and to those in the United States with relatives in the Dominican Republic. We are deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy,” Martinez expressed.
Officials also reported that the son of Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella is among the missing.
Survivors and Responders Share Their Stories
Pérez’s daughter, Zulinka, recounted her survival of the collapse, crediting her husband with saving her life. She told reporters on Tuesday that he shielded her with his body and urged her to escape immediately so their child “won’t be left alone.” Although her husband also survived, he suffered a broken leg.
In the immediate aftermath of the roof collapse, Governor Cruz managed to call President Abinader while trapped under the debris, alerting him to the disaster, according to First Lady Raquel Arbaje. “The president immediately began mobilizing all organizations” to send assistance following the call, she explained.
Another survivor, Jenniré Mena from Venezuela, shared with CNN that she was at the club celebrating her 40th birthday with two friends. Tragically, one of them died, while Jenniré and the other friend were trapped under the rubble. For hours, they held hands to comfort each other until they were rescued around 5 a.m. “I’m grateful to be alive, feeling a lot of pain, but grateful to have the opportunity to feel this pain,” she expressed.
First responders have been offering health and emotional support services to grieving families who are still searching for their missing loved ones, Rosmery Lebron from the Dominican Red Cross told CNN.
The search efforts have also taken a mental toll on rescue workers. “It’s difficult hearing people trapped, screaming for help,” said Daniel Heredia, a member of the Dominican Civil Protection Service. Heredia, who is all too familiar with loss and pain, lost a leg 15 years ago and now leads a rescue team using a prosthetic leg to search for survivors.
Personnel from at least 22 public institutions have been involved in the response efforts, officials reported. Additionally, Méndez mentioned that nine rescue workers from Israel and 12 from Puerto Rico have provided assistance.
A Three-Day Mourning Period
Abinader has announced a three-day mourning period in response to the disaster. Accompanied by First Lady Arbaje, he visited the nightclub later on Tuesday morning to offer condolences to the victims’ families.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” Abinader wrote on X. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the city’s mayor, described Santo Domingo as waking up “to a terrible tragedy” and extended her condolences to families “still waiting for news of their loved ones.”
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