At least 113 people have been confirmed dead and more than 150 injured after the roof of a packed nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic collapsed early Tuesday morning, in what has become one of the worst mass-casualty events in the country's recent history. The Jet Set Club, a popular venue known for its Monday night merengue concerts, was hosting a performance by famed singer Rubby Pérez when the building gave way just before 1:00 a.m. local time.
Authorities say the number of injuries could be significantly higher, as many ambulances reportedly carried multiple patients per trip. Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center, confirmed Wednesday that the Dominican navy and fire service remain on site as rescue efforts continue.
Among the deceased are several prominent figures, including merengue singer Rubby Pérez, former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, former Washington Nationals prospect Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province.
Dotel, 51, was pulled from the rubble alive but died en route to a nearby hospital. His agent, Dan Horwits, said Tuesday, "His energy, positivity and zest for life were infectious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We pass along our thoughts and prayers to his entire family as well as everyone affected by the tragedy."
Pérez, 69, reportedly survived the initial collapse and used his voice to alert rescuers. His daughter, Zulinka, who had been on stage singing backup at the time, told local media that he began singing under the rubble so emergency workers could locate him. She added, "They found him singing, he started to sing so they would hear him." Pérez died before he could be extricated, more than 16 hours after the collapse.
Governor Cruz, 41, managed to place a call to President Luis Abinader while pinned beneath debris. Her father said she then called her brother, seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. She died later at a hospital from glass-related injuries.
The exact cause of the collapse remains unclear. In 2023, the Jet Set Club reported a fire after a lightning strike on a nearby power station. The club, formerly a cinema, had since operated as a music venue drawing celebrities, athletes, and political figures.
Mobile phone footage verified by the BBC captured the moment of the collapse. In the video, a concertgoer points to the ceiling and says, "Something fell from the ceiling," moments before the screen goes dark and a woman is heard shouting.
Rescue teams demolished a wall of the club to aid extraction efforts. Estimates place the number of people inside the venue between 500 and 1,000. Hundreds of family members have gathered at the site holding vigils and awaiting news.
