Deadly Roof Collapse at Dominican Republic Nightclub Claims at Least 79 Lives
- NewsBlend360
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
BY NEWS BLEND 360
Updated 1:24 AM EDT, April 9, 2025
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (NB360) — The roof of a renowned nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed early Tuesday during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes, and others, resulting in at least 79 deaths and 160 injuries, authorities reported.
Rescue teams were looking for possible survivors in the debris at the single-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, stated Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
“We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” he said on Tuesday night. “We’re going to search tirelessly for people.”
Nearly 12 hours after the nightclub's ceiling collapsed onto patrons, rescue teams were still extracting survivors from the wreckage, urging silence around them to hear any faint cries for help. Firefighters removed chunks of broken concrete and used wooden planks to lift heavy debris, while the sound of drills cutting through concrete echoed in the air.
Méndez stated that rescue teams were focusing on three areas within the club: “We’re hearing some sounds.”
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among the victims. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., reporting she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, first lady Raquel Abraje informed reporters. Officials confirmed that Cruz later passed away at the hospital.
“This tragedy is too immense,” Abraje said, her voice trembling.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic announced on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, also passed away. Officials had previously rescued Dotel from the wreckage and taken him to a hospital. Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera was also among the deceased, according to league spokesman Satosky Terrero.
Late Tuesday night, those still searching for their loved ones gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns.
Officials reported that at least 160 people were injured, including national lawmaker Bray Vargas.
Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was on stage when the roof collapsed, initially claimed he had been rescued, but later on Tuesday, Méndez clarified that this was not true. He stated that rescue teams were still searching for Pérez.
Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was stained with blood, informed reporters at the scene that the concert started shortly before midnight, and the roof collapsed almost an hour later, resulting in the death of the group’s saxophonist.
"It happened so fast. I managed to throw myself into a corner," he stated, mentioning that he initially believed it was an earthquake.
The cause of the roof collapse and the date of the last inspection of the Jet Set building were not immediately known.
The club released a statement indicating it was working with authorities and mentioned that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was abroad and returned late Tuesday.
"There are no words to describe the pain this incident has caused. It has been devastating for everyone," he expressed.
A spokeswoman from the Ministry of Public Works directed inquiries to the mayor's office. A spokesperson from the mayor's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos informed TV station CDN that although "everyone wants to know" what occurred, the authorities were still concentrating on locating survivors. A temporary morgue was established near the club, while over 120 people queued to donate blood at two different centers.
Among those anxiously waiting outside the club, known for its traditional Monday parties featuring renowned national and international artists, was Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home.
"We’re holding on only to God," Olivo stated.
Massiel Cuevas, the godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista, was also awaiting news.
"I’m waiting for her. She’s in there, I know she’s in there," Cuevas said, confident that Batista would be rescued alive.
President Abinader posted on X that all rescue teams are “working tirelessly” to assist those impacted.
“We deeply regret the tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been monitoring the situation closely since it happened,” he wrote.
Abinader visited the site and embraced those searching for friends and family, some with tears on their faces. “We have faith in God that we will rescue more people alive,” he told reporters.
An official with a megaphone stood outside the club urging the large crowd gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances room.
“Please cooperate with the authorities,” he said. “We are removing people.”
At a hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading the names of survivors aloud as a crowd gathered around her, calling out the names of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, dozens gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which shared images of the victims for identification by their loved ones.
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Reported from Santo Domingo
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