At least 221 people were killed after a roof collapsed during a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, marking one of the deadliest structural failures in the country’s recent history.
The incident occurred nearly an hour into a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez when the roof suddenly gave way. Among those killed were several prominent figures, including Pérez himself, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province.
According to reports from rescue teams, more than 150 people were rescued and transported to local hospitals. However, no survivors have been found since Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to shift their focus to recovery operations.
“We are profoundly saddened by the disaster at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been monitoring the situation closely since it occurred,” said President Luis Abinader in an official statement addressing the tragedy.
Health Minister Dr. Víctor Atallah emphasized the critical nature of the injuries, stating, “If the trauma is too great, there’s not a lot of time” left for some patients.
The United States has offered support, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating, “The U.S. is prepared to assist our Dominican allies during this challenging time.”
Dominican authorities have announced that a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once recovery efforts conclude. As of now, officials maintain it is “too early to determine” the exact cause of the structural failure.
Families continue to gather at the disaster site, anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones as emergency crews work through the rubble. The incident has prompted calls for stricter building safety regulations and inspections throughout the country.