Chaos Erupts at "Jet Set" Nightclub as 231 Perish in Santo Domingo Collapse
Tragedy strikes at a Dominican Republic nightclub as its roof crushes down, leaving at least 44 fatalities. - Over forty perished in Dominican Republic due to barn structure's catastrophic fall
A horrifying tragedy has unfolded in the Dominican Republic, as the roof of the popular nightclub "Jet Set" crumpled unexpectedly during a performance by the renowned merengue artist, Rubby Pérez. The 69-year-old singer was also a casualty of the disaster. His daughter, Zulinka, confirmed late into the night that her father was indeed alive but gravely injured, trapped beneath the wreckage.
"It happened in an instant," remarked the singer's manager, Enrique Paulino. "I thought it was an earthquake, so I hit the deck and covered my head." He continued, "One of our saxophonists didn't make it. We struggled to reach Rubby, but the debris was far too substantial."
Eyewitness Iris Peña recounted her harrowing experience to Dominican TV station SIN. "First, plaster rained down from the ceiling like dust onto our table," she detailed. "Then a massive stone struck our table. The impact was like a mini-tsunami or a powerful earthquake."
Panicked relatives flocked to nearby hospitals. Regina del Rosa, one such distraught relative, lamented, "We're at our wits' end. They won't let us know anything, they won't even share a simple update.[4]"
At first, authorities failed to provide a clear number of guests within the nightclub at the time of the tragedy.[1] However, media reports suggested that between 500 and 1000 partygoers were present.[5]
As the rubble was gradually cleared, desperate cries for help echoed from within. Méndez, the head of the rescue forces, assured, "We'll continue our tireless efforts to locate and free these individuals, as long as there's a shred of hope for survivors."[1]
Aerial footage from Dominican media showed a gaping hole in the roof of the once bustling disco. A crane was also utilized in the rescue operation. The nightclub issued a statement, expressing its commitment to cooperating "openly and honestly" with authorities.[1] The authorities implored the public to come forward and donate blood.[1]
"Nothing matters more than saving lives," stated President Luis Abinader during a visit to the disaster site. The death toll has tragically risen to 231 individuals, with over 200 others reportedly injured.[2][3] Among the deceased was the governor of the province of Monte Cristi, Nelsy Cruz, who succumbed to her severe injuries in a nearby hospital.[1]
The Caribbean nation of Dominican Republic is popular among tourists, particularly Germans, due to its scenic landscapes and vibrant party culture.[6] The Ministry of Tourism has reported over 11 million visitors in 2024 alone.[6] Our thoughts are with the affected families and friends during this trying time.
- Collapse
- Nightclub
- Dominican Republic
- Earthquake
- Tragedy
- Rescue Operation
- Santo Domingo
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- The evening of the collapse at the "Jet Set" nightclub in Santo Domingo was meant for merengue and revelry, but it turned into a disaster, with at least 44 dead and more than 200 injured due to a crash when part of the club's roof gave way and debris fell.
- The rubble from the disco accident was substantial, preventing rescuers from locating and freeing some individuals, including renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who was confirmed to be alive but gravely injured.
- Saxophonists were also among the casualties, and the tragic incident has left many relatives in a state of distress, pleading for updates and seeking solace in the Dominican Republic's well-known merengue rhythms as they cope with their loss in the wake of the disco crash.
