Eric Adams Visits Dominican Club Collapse Site \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo to honor victims of a deadly nightclub collapse that claimed at least 231 lives. His visit resonated with NYC’s large Dominican population, many of whom mourn those lost in the April 7 tragedy. Adams offered support and urged stronger oversight to prevent future disasters.
Quick Looks
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams traveled to Santo Domingo Monday to pay respects.
- At least 231 people died in the April 7 Jet Set nightclub roof collapse.
- Over 700,000 Dominicans live in New York City—about 8% of its population.
- Adams met with local officials and visited the disaster site.
- Victor D’Aza, head of Dominican Municipal League, called for stricter oversight.
- Adams pledged support to help prevent future building safety failures.
- Twelve survivors remain hospitalized, three in critical condition.
- Investigation ongoing; cause of the collapse still undetermined.
- Adams scheduled to attend an evening Mass for the victims.
- Visit comes amid mayor’s reelection bid and ongoing political controversy.
Deep Look
New York City Mayor Eric Adams touched down in the Dominican Republic on Monday to personally pay tribute to the lives lost in one of the most devastating peacetime disasters in the country’s history. His visit follows the collapse of the roof at Jet Set, a well-known nightclub in Santo Domingo, which occurred on April 7 during a concert and has now claimed at least 231 lives, according to Interior Minister Faride Raful.
The tragedy has reverberated deeply throughout the Dominican diaspora in New York City, home to more than 700,000 Dominicans, making it the largest Dominican population outside of the Dominican Republic. Adams, who once served as Brooklyn Borough President—an area with a large Dominican population—used his presence on the island not only as a gesture of solidarity but as a reaffirmation of the cultural ties that connect the two communities.
Site Visit, Local Meetings, and Calls for Accountability
Adams began his visit with a meeting with local authorities and police, before traveling to the site of the collapsed nightclub, where debris still marks the location of what had been a joyous gathering turned catastrophe. There, he was received by Victor D’Aza, president of the Dominican Municipal League, which oversees mayoral governance and the approval of construction permits and inspections—key factors now under scrutiny in the ongoing investigation.
D’Aza did not mince words, telling reporters that the collapse must serve as a “wake-up call” for the country’s building oversight authorities.
“This has to be a lesson for more effective supervision, for rigor in compliance with the rules,” D’Aza said, warning against future complacency and calling for stronger accountability in granting construction permits and inspecting venues.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been officially determined, though authorities are investigating whether structural weaknesses, regulatory violations, or poor renovation practices contributed to the disaster. So far, 189 individuals have been rescued, while 12 remain hospitalized, including three in critical condition.
Adams Offers Support and Emotional Tribute
At the site, Adams pledged support from New York City to the Dominican Republic, offering resources and collaboration to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. As a mayor of a global city frequently partnering with international governments, Adams emphasized that the bonds between communities like New York and Santo Domingo run deep—not just through immigration, but shared history, culture, and family.
“I had to come here to a country that has given us your children, to make America what it is,” Adams said. “My heart is shattered.”
He added that tragedies like these call for cross-border learning, especially in the areas of building safety, code enforcement, and emergency preparedness.
Adams was scheduled to attend an evening Mass held in memory of the victims, offering prayers alongside families, local officials, and members of the public, many of whom had relatives in New York.
A Visit With Personal and Political Undertones
Adams’ trip is not just diplomatic—it’s deeply personal and politically timely. As a mayor whose approval rating has slipped amid a bribery investigation and questions over his political alliances, Adams is attempting to rebuild public trust, particularly among voters who once supported his historic rise as the city’s second Black mayor.
His decision to run for reelection as an independent, following fallout within the Democratic Party and anger over his public warmth toward Republican President Donald Trump, places him in a unique political position. His critics have questioned his loyalties, while supporters see his centrist approach as pragmatic in a deeply divided political climate.
While in Santo Domingo, Adams avoided political commentary, instead focusing his message on unity and resilience.
“Now is not the time for politics, it is the time for prayer and reflection,” Adams said. “But when the grieving is over, the work must begin.”
Tragedy Prompts International Questions of Oversight
The Jet Set nightclub, a beloved venue in Santo Domingo known for hosting merengue and salsa legends, had been operating under recent renovations, raising concerns about construction quality and whether it met safety standards.
The collapse occurred during a live concert, catching hundreds of attendees off guard. Emergency workers spent hours digging through rubble, and first responders described chaotic scenes of people trapped beneath beams, walls, and debris. The building lacked sprinklers and may have undergone structural modifications that were not properly reviewed.
Experts now say that the tragedy could lead to a major overhaul of municipal permitting practices and building codes in the Dominican Republic, especially for large venues. Similar measures were adopted in other Latin American countries following mass casualty events related to building failures.
Response from the Dominican Diaspora in NYC
In New York, Dominican communities across the Bronx, Washington Heights, and Brooklyn have held vigils, prayer walks, and fundraising drives for victims’ families. For many, the mayor’s visit provided a sense of closure, connection, and recognition of their grief.
“He didn’t have to come, but he did,” said Luis Ramirez, a Dominican-American community organizer in the Bronx. “That means something.”
Dominican leaders in NYC praised the visit as not only a humanitarian act but a political message to diaspora communities that their voices and losses matter—especially in a city where immigrant populations are essential to the social fabric.
Moving Forward
As the Dominican Republic continues its investigation and families begin to bury the dead, calls for justice and accountability will likely grow louder. Adams’ visit may not change what happened on April 7, but it could help catalyze a renewed push for safety reforms, both in Santo Domingo and in similar urban centers around the world.
Meanwhile, for Adams, the visit may be viewed as part of a broader attempt to reset his narrative—one that positions him as both a global partner and a mayor willing to stand with his city’s diverse communities in moments of profound sorrow.
Eric Adams Visits Eric Adams Visits Eric Adams Visits
You must Register or Login to post a comment.