In a heartbreaking update, officials have confirmed that the death toll from the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has tragically climbed to 218. The disaster struck early on Tuesday during a concert, with emergency responders announcing on Thursday that hopes of finding survivors had faded.
The Jet Set, a popular nightspot that can accommodate between 700 and 1,000 attendees, was particularly bustling on Monday nights, leading to growing concerns about the number of patrons present at the time of the incident. Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the emergency operations center, indicated that officials are currently working to clarify the number of tickets sold and those present in local hospitals and mortuaries. So far, 189 individuals have been rescued.
Wednesday saw the official shift in focus from search and rescue to the painstaking process of recovering bodies. As rescue teams numbering over 300 concluded their active search, authorities made a solemn vow to continue excavating the wreckage. “We are not abandoning anybody,” Méndez asserted, underscoring the commitment to bring closure to the victims' families.
The nightclub carried significant cultural weight in Santo Domingo, drawing a mix of local athletes, politicians, and prominent members of the business community. Among the deceased are a local governor, members of a well-known banking family, and two former Major League Baseball players. The body of Rubby Pérez, the merengue artist performing at the time, was retrieved by rescue workers on Wednesday morning.
As the nation grapples with the profound impact of this tragedy, mourning individuals and families—a community united in sorrow—reflect on the vibrant lives lost.
The Jet Set, a popular nightspot that can accommodate between 700 and 1,000 attendees, was particularly bustling on Monday nights, leading to growing concerns about the number of patrons present at the time of the incident. Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the emergency operations center, indicated that officials are currently working to clarify the number of tickets sold and those present in local hospitals and mortuaries. So far, 189 individuals have been rescued.
Wednesday saw the official shift in focus from search and rescue to the painstaking process of recovering bodies. As rescue teams numbering over 300 concluded their active search, authorities made a solemn vow to continue excavating the wreckage. “We are not abandoning anybody,” Méndez asserted, underscoring the commitment to bring closure to the victims' families.
The nightclub carried significant cultural weight in Santo Domingo, drawing a mix of local athletes, politicians, and prominent members of the business community. Among the deceased are a local governor, members of a well-known banking family, and two former Major League Baseball players. The body of Rubby Pérez, the merengue artist performing at the time, was retrieved by rescue workers on Wednesday morning.
As the nation grapples with the profound impact of this tragedy, mourning individuals and families—a community united in sorrow—reflect on the vibrant lives lost.
