Dominican Republic Devastated as Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims 113 Lives

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is in deep mourning following a catastrophic roof collapse at the popular Jet Set nightclub. The disaster, which occurred during a live merengue concert Tuesday night, has claimed the lives of at least 113 people, with rescue efforts transitioning from search and rescue to recovery.

Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Dominican Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the grim details early Wednesday. Despite round-the-clock efforts involving heavy machinery, search dogs, and drones, no survivors have been found since Tuesday afternoon. Over 155 injured individuals were transported to hospitals, often with multiple people per ambulance, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

The exact number of people inside Jet Set at the time of the collapse remains unclear, but the impact is undeniable. Among the confirmed fatalities are prominent figures, including merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in around 12:45 a.m.

Grupo Popular, a leading Dominican banking company, suffered a devastating loss with the deaths of its president, Eduardo Grullón, his wife, his sister, and her husband, who is also the son of the country’s minister of public works. An employee of the company also perished in the collapse.

Adding to the tragedy, the governor of Monte Cristi province, Nelsy Cruz, was also killed. Cruz was initially trapped and managed to call President Luis Abinader from the wreckage. Former professional baseball players Octavio Dotel (formerly of the Yankees and Mets) and Tony Blanco (Washington Nationals) also lost their lives in the disaster.

President Abinader has declared three days of national mourning as the country grapples with the immense loss. Jet Set was a beloved venue in Santo Domingo, particularly popular on Monday nights, attracting entertainers, athletes, and politicians.

Eyewitness videos on social media captured the horrifying moment of the collapse. One video shows Pérez performing when the camera shakes, screams erupt, and a chandelier plummets. Another video shows the extensive damage with the roof completely collapsed, burying the stage and dance floor under debris.

Authorities have stated that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation. As the Dominican Republic mourns, the focus remains on identifying the victims and supporting the grieving families. The disaster at Jet Set is a profound loss for the nation.