A horrifying scene unfolded in the Dominican Republic as the death toll from a catastrophic nightclub collapse has risen to 113, with more than 250 people injured. The incident occurred at Jet Set, a popular venue in Santo Domingo, during what was meant to be a night of celebration and live music.
What began as a packed concert by beloved merengue artist Rubby Pérez turned into one of the deadliest disasters in the country’s modern history. Witnesses say the crowd erupted in screams as pieces of the ceiling began to fall. Within seconds, the entire roof gave way, crushing those beneath it. A shocking video from the scene shows frantic attempts to rescue trapped concertgoers.
The venue was filled beyond capacity, according to first responders who described a chaotic rescue effort that lasted into the early hours of the morning. Firefighters dug through the wreckage using their bare hands and flashlights, trying to pull survivors from under steel beams and shattered concrete. One firefighter, his voice breaking, told reporters, “There were so many bodies, we couldn’t reach them fast enough.”
Among those confirmed dead are former professional baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Blanco reportedly pushed fellow athlete Esteban Germán out of harm’s way in a final act of heroism. Germán later shared through tears, “He saved my life. I saw him disappear under the roof.” That moment has since gone viral on Twitter, with fans calling Blanco a national hero.
Adding to the heartbreak, Nelsy Cruz, the provincial governor of Monte Cristi and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, also perished. She managed to place a call to the president shortly after the collapse, whispering that she was pinned and struggling to breathe. She died before rescuers reached her, and her final moments have stunned a grieving nation.
The music world is reeling from the loss of Rubby Pérez, the 69-year-old legend who was performing on stage when the roof gave in. Known for hits like “Enamorado de Ella,” Pérez led the Wilfrido Vargas Orchestra in the 1980s before embarking on a solo career that cemented his legacy. Fellow artists have shared emotional tributes, including an Instagram post from Juan Luis Guerra that read, “Merengue lost its voice tonight.”
Jet Set’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, released a statement expressing deep sorrow. He said the venue had passed all recent inspections but promised full cooperation with investigators. “There are no words for the grief we feel,” he wrote. Still, many locals are furious, questioning how a club of that size could fail so catastrophically. Calls for stricter building regulations are growing louder by the day.
President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast across the country, and candles now line the streets outside Jet Set. In a televised address, the president vowed accountability and structural reform. “This must never happen again,” he said, his voice grave.
Investigators are examining whether the venue’s aging infrastructure or faulty renovations played a role in the collapse. Engineers have noted that Jet Set’s roof, which was retrofitted last year, may not have met safety codes. Reports from a local whistleblower, shared on Facebook, claim the club had ignored warnings about roof sagging as early as February.
As funeral services begin for dozens of victims, communities across the Dominican Republic are grappling with the magnitude of the loss. Vigils are being held in parks, stadiums, and churches, where mourners gather with candles and photographs of loved ones. Hashtags like #JetSetTragedy and #SantoDomingoStrong continue to trend across platforms, uniting Dominicans in grief and solidarity.
The collapse has opened a national conversation about building safety and emergency preparedness. Civil engineers are urging the government to conduct nationwide inspections of public venues. Survivors and their families are demanding answers, not platitudes. “We came to dance,” one survivor said. “We left carrying bodies.”
In the midst of heartbreak, the Dominican Republic is showing signs of unity and resilience. Blood donations have surged, with lines wrapping around hospitals. Volunteers are delivering meals to rescue workers. The tragedy may have shaken the nation, but its people are rising with resolve—and with purpose.
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