At least 44 people have been confirmed dead and 160 injured after the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a live merengue concert.
The venue, which was packed with politicians, athletes, and other prominent guests, turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy as the structure gave way without warning. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and have been working non-stop to rescue survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations, confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing. “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,” he stated.
Rescue workers spent hours digging through debris, aided by heavy equipment, as the death toll continued to climb. The sound of drills and breaking concrete echoed as teams navigated shattered beams and walls in search of survivors.
Among the deceased was Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi Province and sister to MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. She reportedly called President Luis Abinader shortly after midnight to report the collapse and that she was trapped. Cruz later died in hospital.
“This is too great a tragedy,” said First Lady Raquel Abraje, visibly emotional as she addressed the media.
Others injured in the collapse include former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, legislator Bray Vargas, and renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who was on stage performing when the collapse occurred. Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, described the moment as sudden and terrifying.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” Paulino said. “I initially thought it was an earthquake.”
The nightclub issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and pledged full cooperation with the authorities. “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” the statement read.
Outside the venue, distressed family members gathered in the hope of hearing good news. Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son was at the concert, said, “We’re holding on only to God.”
Massiel Cuevas, godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista, stood waiting, convinced her goddaughter would be found alive. “I’m waiting for her. She’s in there, I know she’s in there,” she said.
President Abinader visited the site and offered support to grieving families. He also assured the public that all emergency agencies were “working tirelessly” and expressed hope that more lives would be saved. “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” the president told reporters.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and allow rescue operations to proceed unhindered. Meanwhile, hospitals have begun reading out names of survivors, while the National Institute of Forensic Pathology is helping with victim identification.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation as the search for survivors continues.
