Roof collapse in Santo Domingo leaves more than 100 dead
A ceiling collapse at the Jet Set Nightclub in Santo Domingo left more than 113 dead, including the artist Rubby Pérez who was performing.
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A roof collapse at the Jet Set Nightclub in Santo Domingo left at least 113 dead and many injured. This tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, during a concert by merengue singer Rubby Pérez.
The Moment of Tragedy
The incident occurred shortly after midnight, when Rubby Pérez took the stage. According to witnesses, the ceiling collapsed at the Jet Set Nightclub suddenly, causing chaos and despair among the audience. Enrique Paulino, the singer's manager, recounted how he tried to reach the area where Pérez was, but the debris prevented him from doing so. Unfortunately, the artist did not survive.
Lost Lives
More than 300 rescuers, including firefighters and specialized canine units, were deployed to the scene. Among the deceased were figures such as former baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Also Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi and sister of Baseball player Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Arbaje told the media that Cruz called President Luis Abinader to alert him about the situation while she was trapped under the rubble.
Dotel had an extensive MLB career, playing for multiple teams, including the New York Yankees and Mets, and was part of the St. Louis Cardinals' World Series win in 2011. Blanco played for the Washington Nationals in 2005 and had a professional career in Japan.
Government Efforts and Reactions
More than 24 hours after the roof collapsed, rescue teams continued to pull survivors from the rubble. President Abinader visited the collapse site at the Jet Set Nightclub, offering support to the affected families and declaring three days of national mourning. Meanwhile, the club's management promised to collaborate with authorities to clarify the cause of the collapse. So far, it has not been definitively determined what caused the roof to collapse, although aging infrastructure or neglected maintenance could be factors.
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Fountain: CBS News
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