In the early hours of April 8, 2025, a devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, resulted in the deaths of at least 98 individuals and left over 160 injured. The incident occurred during a merengue concert attended by approximately 300 people.
Notable Victims
Among the deceased were:
-
Octavio Dotel: A former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher known for his 15-year career with 13 teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals.
-
Tony Blanco: Another former MLB player who had stints with the Washington Nationals and played professionally in Japan and the Dominican Republic.
-
Rubby Pérez: A renowned Dominican merengue singer, aged 69, celebrated for hits like "Volveré." He was performing at the time of the collapse and was initially found alive but later succumbed to his injuries.
-
Nelsy Cruz: The governor of Monte Cristi province.
Incident Details
The collapse happened around 1 a.m. local time, approximately an hour into Pérez's performance. Eyewitnesses reported that the roof gave way suddenly, causing chaos among the attendees.
Rescue and Response
Emergency services responded promptly, with rescue operations extending into the night. Over 150 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Dominican President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning and visited the site alongside other officials. An investigation into the cause of the structural failure is underway.