Desperate Search Continues After Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse; Families in Agony
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The scene outside the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo is one of devastation and despair as families anxiously await news of their loved ones following a catastrophic roof collapse during a concert by popular Dominican singer Rubby Pérez. The tragedy, which occurred on Monday night, has left at least 184 dead and an untold number of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Shailyn Peña, the 17-year-old daughter of Maximo Peña, who was a regular at the nightclub and attended the concert with his wife and sister, is among those desperately seeking information. "I haven't heard any news about any of them," she said, her voice filled with anguish.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams meticulously combing through the debris, using sophisticated heat-seeking equipment to locate any remaining survivors. Israeli and Mexican search teams have joined the effort, bolstering the hopes of those waiting for good news.
The uncertainty and prolonged wait for information have become unbearable for families like Shailyn's. "I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out," she expressed, highlighting the agonizing helplessness felt by those standing by.
Authorities are providing regular updates on the grim situation, with the death toll steadily rising. Despite the grim circumstances, emergency services insist that survivors may still be found within the wreckage. "Nothing can be ruled out," stated Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre. "We are going to go over every inch of the rubble here to give the families of those caught up in the disaster some kind of closure."
The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims of the tragedy. Among those confirmed dead are well-known national figures, including Pérez himself, former baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and a regional governor.
As the search and rescue operation continues, questions are beginning to arise about the cause of the collapse. A theory circulating suggests that a fire at the nightclub two years ago may have structurally weakened the building, with concerns that subsequent repairs were inadequate.
Antonio Espaillat, the owner of the Jet Set nightclub, has expressed his condolences and pledged full cooperation with the authorities in their investigation.
For Shailyn Peña and countless other families, the focus remains on the desperate hope of finding their loved ones alive. As she faces her upcoming birthday without her father, stepmother, and aunt, she embodies the grief and uncertainty gripping the Dominican Republic in the wake of this horrific tragedy.