At least 98 people died and 160 suffered injuries after a nightclub roof collapsed early Tuesday (April 8). The incident happened in Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic. Crews are on the ground searching for potential survivors in the rubble at Jet Set.
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Editor’s Note: This article was published on April 8 and updated on April 9 to reflect new information on the death toll, etc.
Details About Dominican Republic Incident
According to the Associated Press, Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, spoke about the rescue efforts on Tuesday.
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“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” Méndez said.
It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, and the investigation is still underway. Jet Set is an iconic nightclub in southern Santo Domingo that first opened in 1973 as a club and restaurant. It was known for its “Jet Set Mondays,” which featured local and international artists.
After some years, the nightclub had relocated to the building where the roof collapsed after some years. A local newspaper, Listín Diario, revealed that the club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015. Additionally, it was struck by lightning in 2023.
Governor Who First Alerted DR President Passes Away
Nelsy Cruz was among the victims trapped by the collapsed nightclub roof. Cruz was the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Abraje told reporters that Nelsy Cruz called Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m. She reportedly told him she was trapped after the roof had collapsed. Governor Cruz later died at the hospital.
President Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” President Abinader wrote.
President Abinader arrived at the Jet Set scene and hugged those looking for friends and family. Some loved ones had tears streaming down their faces. The president did not speak to reporters after arriving at Jet Set.
Merengue Singer Missing & Former MLB Player Dies
Rubby Pérez was performing when the roof collapsed. Relatives of the merengue singer initially said he was rescued from the rubble. But Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said late Tuesday afternoon that information “turned out to be false.” Rescue crews are still looking for Pérez. Meanwhile, the singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, said the group’s saxophonist died.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” Paulino said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel also died. He was 51. Officials had pulled Dotel from the debris and brought him to a hospital, but he passed from his injuries.
Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera also died in the roof collapse, said league spokesman Satosky Terrero.
Dominican Republic Officials Make Efforts To Identify Victims
On Tuesday, an official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space. “You have to cooperate with authorities, please,” the official reportedly said. “We are removing people.”
An official was also on-site at a hospital where emergency personnel brought the injured people. The official reportedly stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones.
This is a breaking story. Check back for additional details.
Associated Press staff Martín Adames Alcántara and Dánica Coto contributed to this report.
