Nightclub roof disaster in Dominican Republic results in minimum 15 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
In the heart of the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo, tragedy struck as the roof of the Jet Set nightclub came crashing down, claim authorities. Initial reports suggest at least 15 lives were lost and over 100 individuals are left injured.
Rescue crews are working relentlessly to extract potential survivors from the wreckage, according to Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Center for Emergency Operations. Mendez expressed hope that many of those still missing are alive, vowing that the authorities will not give up until the last person is accounted for.
One of the unfortunate casualties of the incident is merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing at the time of the collapse. President Luis Abinader expressed his condolences on Twitter, stating that all rescue agencies are working ceaselessly to aid those affected.
A large crowd has gathered outside the nightclub, desperately seeking any news about their friends and family. An official with a megaphone pleads for cooperation, urging the crowd to give ambulances room and to allow the rescue efforts to proceed unhindered.
At a nearby hospital, an official reads out the names of survivors, eliciting emotional responses from those present. As the situation stands, the cause of the roof collapse remains unclear, though various factors are under investigation.
Among the suspected causes are a 2023 fire that damaged part of the nightclub, potentially compromising its structural integrity. It's uncertain whether proper repairs were made after the fire. Furthermore, queries have been raised about the weight placed on the roof during the concert, which was attended by an estimated 500 to 1,000 guests at the time of the collapse.
The Dominican Republic government is forming a commission of experts to probe the possible causes of the collapse. This initiative marks the beginning of a comprehensive assessment phase, which will lay the groundwork for a formal legal investigation. The nightclub's owner and team have emphasized their transparency in the investigations, pledging continued cooperation. However, no definitive cause has been confirmed at this time.
; (Developing story. Updates will follow)
The Dominican Republic's authorities are working tirelessly to account for everyone who was in the Jet Set nightclub during the tragic incident, including survivors from both the Americas and the world. In this time of grief, prayers and support pour in for Rubby Perez, the merengue singer who lost her life during the collapse, and for Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the Center for Emergency Operations, who remains hopeful of a successful rescue mission. Despite the ongoing investigations into the possible causes of the roof collapse, the owner and team of the nightclub have promised full transparency in the proceedings.
