Rescue efforts are ongoing in the Dominican Republic after a tragic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. local time on Tuesday at the Jet Set club, where many were attending a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez.
As of now, the death toll has risen to at least 124, with over 150 people injured. Emergency Operations Chief Juan Manuel Méndez stated that rescue teams have a critical window of 24 to 36 hours left to find any survivors beneath the debris. Hundreds of rescue workers are on the scene, working tirelessly to locate those trapped.
Pérez and several notable figures, including former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, have been confirmed dead. Eyewitness accounts and mobile phone footage from inside the club captured the chaotic moments leading up to the collapse. One video shows Pérez performing when suddenly, a voice is heard saying, "Something fell from the ceiling." Shortly after, the recording cuts to darkness, with a woman screaming for her father.
The exact number of people inside the club during the incident is still unclear, but estimates suggest there were between 500 and 1,000 attendees. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that at least one American citizen and several legal permanent residents were among the casualties. He expressed condolences and offered support to the Dominican Republic during this difficult time.
To aid in rescue efforts, emergency workers have taken the drastic step of demolishing part of the nightclub’s wall. Families of the missing have gathered at the site, holding vigils and anxiously waiting for news. Among them is Zulinka, Pérez’s daughter, who was on stage with her father when the roof fell. She described how her husband shielded her during the collapse, allowing her to escape. Tragically, her father was trapped for hours and was found alive but later died from his injuries.
Another survivor, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, was one of the first to alert authorities while trapped under debris. She called President Luis Abinader for help before reaching out to her family. Sadly, she later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
The cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation. The Jet Set club, which was previously a cinema, had been hosting regular concerts that attracted a diverse crowd. Following the tragedy, President Abinader declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims. The nation stands united in grief as families seek closure amidst this heartbreaking disaster.