A devastating event unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic. The roof of the renowned Jet Set nightclub gave way during a live concert, leading to at least 27 deaths and injuring around 120 individuals. The collapse occurred while famed merengue artist Rubby Pérez was performing on stage.
Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi, as confirmed by official sources. Pérez, the performer, was lucky to be pulled out alive from the wreckage. The suddenness of the collapse led many to initially believe it was an earthquake, shared Enrique Paulino, Pérez’s manager. Paulino, who was visibly distressed and bloodied, disclosed that the band’s saxophonist was among the unfortunate victims of the incident.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with teams working relentlessly to sift through the debris in hopes of finding survivors. Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the city’s Center of Emergency Operations, expressed optimism that many of those trapped under the debris were still alive. He reassured that the authorities would not halt their efforts until every individual was accounted for.
In the wake of the incident, a hospital official was observed reading out the names of survivors to a crowd of worried relatives and friends, who were frantically calling out the names of their loved ones. The cause of the roof collapse remains uncertain at this point.
President Luis Abinader expressed his profound sorrow over the tragedy and assured that all rescue agencies were working tirelessly to aid those affected. He stated, “We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred.” Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó also expressed her condolences, stating, “Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.”