By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
A devastating nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, has claimed nearly 100 lives.
This was after the roof of the iconic Jet Set venue gave way during a live concert by legendary merengue singer Rubby Perez, who also perished in the disaster.
The collapse occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday, sending rescuers scrambling into a massive search effort that continued into early Wednesday.
More than 370 emergency personnel have been working tirelessly to dig through twisted steel bars, fallen bricks, and mangled tin sheets, with hopes fading for survivors.
The death toll, which began at 15, rose steadily through Tuesday and reached 98 by early Wednesday, according to Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the country’s emergency operations center.
“As long as there is hope for life, all authorities will be working to recover or rescue these people,” he said.
Rubby Perez, 69, a celebrated icon in Dominican music, was on stage performing when the roof suddenly gave way. His manager, Enrique Paulino, confirmed the artist’s death to AFP.
Perez’s daughter, Zulinka, who was also present at the concert, managed to escape the collapse but revealed her father did not make it out.
Another notable figure lost in the tragedy was 51-year-old retired MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who helped the St. Louis Cardinals clinch the 2011 World Series title.
Reports say Dotel was found alive but succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. “Peace to his soul,” the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League wrote in a tribute posted on social media.
Also among the deceased was Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi municipality, President Luis Abinader confirmed. The president, who visited the site of the tragedy, announced three days of national mourning.
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Eyewitness accounts have painted a harrowing picture of the chaos and destruction. “At one point, dirt started falling like dust into the drink on the table,” said Iris Peña, who had attended the concert with her son.“
A stone fell and cracked the table where we were, and we got out. The impact was so strong, as if it had been a tsunami or an earthquake.
”The club was reportedly packed with between 500 and 1,000 people at the time of the collapse. Although it can seat 700 and accommodate up to 1,000 standing, the exact number of attendees remains unclear.
Emergency services deployed dozens of ambulances to ferry the injured to nearby hospitals, while distraught family members gathered outside in search of their loved ones.
“We are desperate,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was at the concert.“They are not giving us news, they are not telling us anything.”
Aerial footage showed a gaping hole where the club’s roof once stood. Heavy machinery, including cranes, was brought in to lift massive debris while workers in hard hats continued manual recovery efforts.
Authorities have urged Dominicans to donate blood to help meet urgent medical needs.
Jet Set, a staple in the Dominican nightlife scene for over 50 years, released a statement on Instagram pledging full cooperation with authorities. “We are working fully and transparently with authorities,” the club stated.
The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, welcomed over 11 million tourists in 2024. With tourism contributing roughly 15% to its GDP, the nation’s vibrant music scene and nightlife remain central to its cultural appeal.
