SANTO DOMINGO — A roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital resulted in at least 124 deaths, according to authorities. The incident occurred during a concert featuring popular merengue singer Rubby Perez shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
Emergency services have reported rescuing more than 150 individuals from the debris, but no survivors have been found since Tuesday afternoon. Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the country’s emergency operations center, indicated that teams would require an additional 24 to 36 hours to complete their search efforts. Heavy machinery has been deployed to aid in these operations.
Perez was confirmed among the dead, with his body recovered on Wednesday morning. The incident also claimed the lives of former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Dotel was alive when rescue crews reached him but was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The tragedy also involved Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz.
The disaster has deeply affected the local community and beyond, with prominent figures attending the concert. The son of the public works and communications minister also lost his life in the collapse. MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez expressed his grief on social media, revealing that several family members were present in the club at the time of the disaster.
“I still have family members that are still in the (rubble) and we don’t know what happened to them,” Martinez said in an Instagram video. He extended condolences to all families affected by the tragedy, emphasizing the widespread sorrow within the community.
As rescue operations continue, families are anxiously waiting for news regarding their missing relatives. Emergency personnel are working diligently, hopeful for any remaining signs of life in the wreckage.
