A night filled with music and festivities turned tragic when the roof of the renowned Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 98 individuals and injuring over 150, as reported by officials.
The nightclub, a significant part of the Dominican nightlife scene, was hosting a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes, and local celebrities. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m., trapping many beneath the rubble of concrete, metal, and debris.
Merengue artist Rubby Pérez had just begun his performance when the structure failed. His manager later confirmed that Pérez was among those who did not survive. The death toll, now nearing 100, is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to sift through the wreckage.
Among the deceased were two former Major League Baseball players. Octavio Dotel, 51, who played for a record 13 MLB teams and contributed to the St. Louis Cardinals’ victory in the 2011 World Series, was retrieved from the debris but later died from his injuries. The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League acknowledged his passing, highlighting his popularity among fans and teammates.
Dotel had faced personal hardships in his youth, including the tragic loss of his father during a robbery. Despite these challenges, he pursued his baseball career with unwavering resolve. Reflecting on his journey, Dotel once remarked, “I just have to keep playing hard and get what I’m looking for. I think God helps me because I’m here.”
Also among the victims was Tony Blanco, a former infielder for the Washington Nationals. His death was confirmed by league spokesperson Satosky Terrero. Blanco had a brief stint in the majors before continuing his career in Japan and Mexico, where he earned admiration for his powerful hitting and reserved personality.
The collapse also resulted in the death of Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Arbaje revealed that Cruz had managed to make a desperate call to President Luis Abinader before the tragedy unfolded.He informed reporters, “We will search relentlessly for individuals.”
Firefighters and emergency personnel, some utilizing drills while others excavated with their hands, labored for hours to rescue survivors from the debris. As late as midday, Méndez reported that rescuers were still detecting sounds beneath the rubble, which raised hopes of finding more individuals alive. Enrique Paulino, the manager of Rubby Pérez, delivered an emotional statement at the site, his shirt stained with blood. He recounted that the performance had commenced shortly before midnight, and the roof collapsed within the hour, resulting in the death of the band’s saxophonist.
Video footage from inside the nightclub captured patrons enjoying the concert just moments prior to the calamity. In one clip, a man near the stage points to the ceiling, exclaiming, “something fell,” as Pérez appears to respond. Moments later, the screen goes dark, followed by the sound of a woman crying out, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
A surviving member of the band described the experience as surreal. “I thought it was an earthquake,” he recalled, estimating that the collapse occurred around 1 a.m. He noted that the venue was filled to capacity.
Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Questions linger regarding the last inspection of the building and whether any structural concerns had been previously identified or overlooked.
As the nation grieves the lives lost, the area remains secured, with emergency teams continuing to sift through the debris while families gather nearby seeking answers.
