Tragedy Strikes: Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims 58 Lives and Injures Over 160
At least 58 people have died and 160 others were injured in the Dominican capital early Tuesday when the roof collapsed at the iconic Jet Set nightclub during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes, and others, according to authorities.
Rescue crews were actively searching for potential survivors in the rubble of the one-story nightclub located in Santo Domingo, as reported by Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until every last person is accounted for,” he stated.
Nearly 12 hours after the incident, rescue teams continued to pull survivors from the debris. Firefighters worked diligently, removing blocks of broken concrete and sawing planks of wood to create makeshift supports to lift heavy debris, while the noise of drills breaking through concrete echoed in the air.
By late afternoon, the confirmed death toll had risen to 58, with earlier reports indicating at least 160 injuries. Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., reporting that she was trapped under the collapsed roof. Officials later confirmed that Cruz died at the hospital.
“This is an immense tragedy,” First Lady Raquel Abraje said, her voice filled with sorrow.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic announced the death of MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who had been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital.
Among the injured were legislator Bray Vargas and merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed. Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was stained with blood, recounted that the concert had started shortly before midnight, and the roof collapsed nearly an hour later, resulting in the death of the group’s saxophonist.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he recalled, initially believing it was an earthquake.
The cause of the roof collapse remains unclear.
Jet Set issued a statement expressing its cooperation with authorities, stating, “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay.”
It is currently unknown when the Jet Set building was last inspected.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works indicated that all officials were on-site and not immediately available for comment, directing inquiries to the mayor’s office. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be reached for an immediate response.
Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told a local television station that while “everyone wants to know” what happened, authorities were primarily focused on finding survivors.
Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home, was among the anxious crowd outside the club, known for its traditional Monday parties featuring renowned artists.
“We’re holding on only to God,” Olivo said.
Massiel Cuevas, the godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista, was also waiting for news.
“I’m waiting for her. She’s in there; I know she’s in there,” Cuevas said, confident that Batista would be rescued alive.
President Abinader posted on social media that all rescue agencies were “working tirelessly” to assist those affected. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been monitoring the situation minute by minute since it began,” he wrote.
Upon arriving at the scene, Abinader embraced those searching for friends and family, many with tears in their eyes.
“We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” he told reporters.
An official with a megaphone stood outside the club, urging the large crowd gathered to search for missing loved ones to allow ambulances space to operate.
“You must cooperate with authorities, please,” he requested. “We are removing people.”
At a nearby hospital where the injured were taken, an official announced the names of survivors as a crowd gathered, calling out for their loved ones.
Simultaneously, dozens of people congregated at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, where images of the victims were displayed to assist families in identifying them.
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