A night of music and celebration turned into a deadly disaster when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a packed merengue concert, killing at least 98 people and injuring 160 others, according to local authorities.
The tragedy struck early Tuesday, with victims including politicians, athletes, and music fans. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the rubble for hours, desperately listening for cries for help as they removed debris with saws and drills. “We continue clearing debris and searching for people. We’re going to search tirelessly,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
Among the deceased was Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz. Cruz reportedly called the President while trapped under the debris but later died in the hospital. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera were also confirmed dead. Merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time, remains missing.
The roof caved in about an hour after the concert began. Witnesses initially believed it was an earthquake. Pérez’s manager, blood-stained and shaken, recalled, “It happened so quickly. I threw myself into a corner.”
National lawmaker Bray Vargas was among the injured. Officials said they were still investigating the cause of the collapse, with no word on the building’s last inspection. The club’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, returned from abroad and stated the tragedy was “devastating for everyone.”
President Luis Abinader visited the scene, hugging victims’ families and promising full rescue efforts. “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” he said.
Outside the club, families sang hymns, hoping for miracles. Hospitals overflowed with blood donors, while city morgues displayed images of the deceased for identification. Crowds pressed for updates, clinging to hope as emergency officials urged calm and cooperation.
What should have been a joyous evening became one of the deadliest nightclub tragedies in the Caribbean nation’s history, leaving a trail of devastation, unanswered questions, and grieving families.
