Santo Domingo: A devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital has killed at least 98 people and injured over 150, according to local officials. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Tuesday during a concert by legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was among those killed.
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, was also confirmed dead after being pulled from the rubble and dying on the way to the hospital. Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of baseball star Nelson Cruz, was another prominent figure who lost her life in the collapse.
Hundreds of concertgoers were inside the venue when the roof gave way. Emergency Operations Centre (COE) director Juan Manuel Méndez said that approximately 400 rescuers are still on the scene searching for survivors, and there is hope that more people may be alive beneath the debris.
Jet Set, one of Santo Domingo’s best-known nightclubs, frequently hosts dance music shows and attracts a high-profile crowd. Video footage taken inside the club moments before the collapse shows patrons seated at tables and dancing near the stage while Rubby Pérez performed.
In another clip, a man near the stage points toward the ceiling and says, “something fell from the ceiling.” Seconds later, a loud crash is heard, and the video cuts to black with a woman screaming, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
One of Pérez’s bandmates said the building was packed at the time of the incident and described the collapse as resembling an earthquake. Pérez’s daughter confirmed that her father had been trapped in the debris before his death was announced.
President Luis Abinader extended his condolences to all affected families, calling the incident a national tragedy. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the structural failure.
MOST READ | Royal Couple to mark 20th anniversary during Italian state visit
