The Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, became the site of tragedy early Tuesday morning when a roof collapsed during a performance by prominent merengue artist Rubby Pérez. Officials confirmed that at least 79 individuals have lost their lives, with over 150 others suffering injuries in the disaster.
Among those confirmed dead are notable figures, including Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, and former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel, who tragically succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Reports indicate that at the time of the collapse, the nightclub was hosting a concert that attracted a large crowd, with approximately 400 rescuers now involved in ongoing recovery operations.
Local emergency director Juan Manuel Méndez remains optimistic about finding more survivors under the rubble, stating that he believes some individuals may still be alive. The Jet Set nightclub, a popular destination in Santo Domingo, is known for hosting lively dance music concerts on Monday nights, and this incident has shocked the local community.
Video footage captured just before the collapse reveals a packed club with attendees enjoying the performance, a stark contrast to the chaos that ensued moments later as the ceiling crumbled. Eyewitness accounts suggest panic set in rapidly, with a musician recalling fearing it was an earthquake.
In the aftermath, President Luis Abinader expressed his sympathies to the grieving families, emphasizing the profound impact of this unexpected disaster on the nation. As the investigation into the cause of the roof collapse begins, hopes remain for additional survivors to be found amid the debris of the popular venue.
Among those confirmed dead are notable figures, including Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, and former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel, who tragically succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Reports indicate that at the time of the collapse, the nightclub was hosting a concert that attracted a large crowd, with approximately 400 rescuers now involved in ongoing recovery operations.
Local emergency director Juan Manuel Méndez remains optimistic about finding more survivors under the rubble, stating that he believes some individuals may still be alive. The Jet Set nightclub, a popular destination in Santo Domingo, is known for hosting lively dance music concerts on Monday nights, and this incident has shocked the local community.
Video footage captured just before the collapse reveals a packed club with attendees enjoying the performance, a stark contrast to the chaos that ensued moments later as the ceiling crumbled. Eyewitness accounts suggest panic set in rapidly, with a musician recalling fearing it was an earthquake.
In the aftermath, President Luis Abinader expressed his sympathies to the grieving families, emphasizing the profound impact of this unexpected disaster on the nation. As the investigation into the cause of the roof collapse begins, hopes remain for additional survivors to be found amid the debris of the popular venue.
