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Nearly 100 Dead After Roof Collapses at Dominican Nightclub
A deadly roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic's capital has left at least 98 people dead and more than 150 injured. The tragic event happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, shocking the nation and drawing worldwide attention.
What Happened at Jet Set Nightclub?
Just after 12:44 a.m. local time, during a live performance by famous merengue singer Rubby Perez, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub suddenly gave way. The club, which has been a popular spot for decades, was packed with an estimated 500 to 1,000 people—well beyond its seated capacity of 700.
Helicopter footage showed a massive hole where the roof once stood. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, working through the night to rescue survivors from beneath the rubble.
Prominent Figures Among the Victims
Authorities confirmed that several high-profile individuals were among the dead, including:
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Rubby Perez, the beloved Dominican singer who was on stage during the collapse.
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Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of former MLB star Nelson Cruz.
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Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, former Major League Baseball players.
Dotel, who won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, reportedly died on his way to the hospital.
Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Efforts
Enrique Paulino, Perez’s manager, described the scene as chaotic:
"I thought it was an earthquake. I dropped to the ground and covered my head."
He confirmed that a saxophonist in the band died and that reaching Rubby Perez was impossible due to debris.
Rescue teams deployed more than 370 personnel, supported by cranes and ambulances, as they searched for survivors. Family members gathered near the site, desperate for news.
Pedro Martinez, a former MLB star, posted a video saying he still had relatives trapped inside the rubble.
National Mourning and Government Response
President Luis Abinader visited the collapse site and declared three days of national mourning. Authorities said they are investigating what caused the collapse and whether the club was over capacity.
Jet Set, open for over 50 years, had promoted the event as a night to dance to Rubby Perez's greatest hits.
Tourism and Economic Impact
The Dominican Republic is a top Caribbean tourist destination, welcoming over 11 million visitors in 2024. Tourism contributes around 15% to the nation’s GDP. The government is working to ensure the tragedy does not harm the country's image, though safety questions are being raised.
