Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse: Search Concludes with 221 Confirmed Dead

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The harrowing search for victims trapped in the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub has officially concluded, with authorities confirming a final death toll of 221. The roof of the popular Santo Domingo nightclub collapsed during a concert on Monday night, triggering a massive emergency response.

Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the emergency operations center, made the announcement. The collapse at Jet Set, a well-known venue frequented by athletes, politicians, and business professionals, has plunged the Dominican Republic into mourning. Among the deceased are prominent figures, including a governor, a family of bankers, and two former Major League Baseball players. Merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time of the collapse, was also among the victims.

"The country mourns. The Dominican family mourns," Méndez stated.

The emergency response involved over 300 rescuers who worked tirelessly to locate and recover victims. In a statement released Wednesday night, the authorities confirmed that the operation had transitioned from search and rescue to body recovery. Officials triangulated the number of tickets sold with the number of people at the morgue and in local hospitals. Representatives of the club have declined to say how many tickets were sold for the concert Monday night. The nightclub had a capacity of 700 to 1,000 people and was particularly popular on Monday nights.

The investigation into the cause of the roof collapse is ongoing. Authorities have taken control of the building, and prosecutors are beginning their investigation.