Jet Set Nightclub Collapse Kills 44 in Santo Domingo \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ At least 44 people were killed and 160 injured after the roof of a renowned nightclub collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rescue efforts are ongoing as crews search the rubble for survivors. The tragedy has claimed the lives of public figures and musicians.
Quick Looks:
- Roof collapsed during merengue concert at Jet Set nightclub.
- At least 44 people confirmed dead, 160 injured.
- Rescue teams still searching for survivors nearly 12 hours later.
- MLB All-Star’s sister Nelsy Cruz and singer Rubby Pérez among victims.
- President Abinader visited the scene and vowed full rescue efforts.
- Cause of collapse remains unknown; investigations ongoing.
- Emotional scenes unfold as families wait outside rubble and hospitals.
- Jet Set says it is cooperating with authorities.
Deep Look
Tragedy in Santo Domingo: 44 Dead After Roof Collapses at Jet Set Nightclub
A night of music and celebration turned into a national tragedy in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday, as the roof of the famed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live merengue concert. At least 44 people are confirmed dead, and more than 160 others were injured, authorities reported.
The one-story nightclub was packed with politicians, celebrities, and music fans attending the popular Monday night show when the collapse occurred shortly after midnight. The event featured well-known merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time of the disaster.
Rescue crews rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly for over 12 hours, digging through the rubble with drills, saws, and planks of wood in hopes of finding survivors. The sound of concrete being broken apart filled the air as emergency personnel continued to remove blocks of debris in a desperate race against time.
“We presume that many of them are still alive,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations. “That is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble.”
Lives Lost: Public Figures Among the Dead
Among the confirmed dead is Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister to MLB seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz. According to First Lady Raquel Abraje, Cruz called President Luis Abinader from inside the collapsed venue at 12:49 a.m., saying she was trapped. She died later at the hospital.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic reported that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who had initially been rescued from the debris and hospitalized, had died. Officials had earlier announced his survival, adding confusion to a chaotic situation.
Also injured were legislator Bray Vargas and Rubby Pérez himself, who survived but lost a member of his band. “It happened so quickly,” said his manager Enrique Paulino, visibly shaken and with blood on his shirt. “I managed to throw myself into a corner. At first, I thought it was an earthquake.”
Paulino confirmed that Pérez’s saxophonist died during the collapse.
Community in Shock, Rescue Operations Continue
Families and friends gathered anxiously outside the venue and hospitals, desperately seeking news of loved ones. Massiel Cuevas, the godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista, stood among the crowd, determined. “I’m waiting for her. She’s in there. I know she’s in there,” she said.
At one hospital, officials read aloud the names of the injured survivors as crowds clung to hope. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Forensic Pathology projected images of the deceased to help families identify their loved ones.
President Abinader, who has been monitoring the incident closely, arrived at the scene to comfort those grieving and to thank first responders. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” he wrote on X. “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive.”
He was seen embracing sobbing family members and urging citizens to remain hopeful as the search continued.
Jet Set and Officials Respond
The Jet Set nightclub, a cultural icon in the Dominican nightlife scene, issued a statement expressing sorrow and promising full cooperation with investigators. “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” the club stated.
Questions now swirl about the building’s structural integrity and oversight. It remains unclear when the building was last inspected, and officials from the Ministry of Public Works were unavailable for immediate comment. A spokeswoman referred inquiries to the mayor’s office, which also had no comment at press time.
Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos addressed the public, saying investigators are focused on rescue efforts before turning to the cause. “Everyone wants to know what happened,” she said. “But right now, the priority is saving lives.”
A Nation in Mourning
As the Dominican Republic mourns the loss of dozens of lives, the focus remains on those still unaccounted for and recovering in hospitals. The tragedy has shaken the country and revived concerns over building safety standards in entertainment venues.
Local officials and federal agencies have vowed transparency as investigations unfold in the coming days. Until then, families continue to wait and hope, clinging to the possibility that more survivors may yet emerge from the rubble of one of Santo Domingo’s most iconic nightspots.
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