Shocking Disco Collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: At Least 98 Dead, Hundreds Injured
Disco roof collapse results in at least 58 fatalities in Dominican Republic - Tragic disaster: at least 58 casualties from a collapsed disco roof in the Dominican Republic
Glimpses of tragedy unfolded at the vibrant nightclub "Jet Set" in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the roof suddenly gave way during a performance by iconic merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Rubby himself was buried under the wreckage, his daughter Zulinka confirming later that while he was alive, fractures pinned him down amid the debris.
"It felt like an earthquake," recollected the singer's manager, Enrique Paulino. "We initially thought it was an earthquake, so we dived for cover," he added. A saxophonist was found dead in the chaos, and attempts to reach Rubby were impeded by the mountainous debris.
Iris Peña, a witness, shared her chilling account with Dominican TV station SIN. She explained that initially, plaster fell from the ceiling like dust into their drinks on the table. Suddenly, a stone crashed onto their table. "The impact was catastrophic, like a tsunami or an earthquake," she described.
Desperate friends and family members flocked to nearby hospitals seeking word on their loved ones. "We're terrified," stated Regina del Rosa, whose sister partied at the club. "They keep denying us any information," she lamented.
Reports about the actual number of individuals present during the accident varied, with estimates ranging from 500 to 1000 party-goers. Meanwhile, around 400 helpers joined the rescue efforts, with voices calling out from the rubble for assistance. "As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we'll do everything humanly possible to rescue or save these people," declared the head of the rescue forces.
In the aftermath, a devastating hole appeared in the disco's roof, aerial images from Dominican media revealing the extent of the disaster. A crane was also deployed in the search for the buried. The club maintained that they were working diligently and honestly with authorities "to help victims and clarify what occurred." Authorities likewise appealed to the public to donate blood in the wake of the tragedy.
According to President Luis Abinader's visit to the site, among the dead was the governor of Monte Cristi province, Nelsy Cruz, who succumbed to her severe injuries in the hospital. The Dominican Republic, popular among German tourists for its stunning beaches and party scene, recorded more than eleven million visitors in 2024[2].
- Collapse
- Nightclub Tragedy
- Santo Domingo
- Dominican Republic
- Earthquake Similitude
- Rescue Efforts
- Debris
- The nightclub disaster in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, bore a striking similarity to an earthquake when the roof of the "Jet Set" club collapsed during a merengue performance, killing at least 58 people and injuring hundreds.
- In the havoc that ensued, plaster fell from the ceiling like dust, and a stone crashed onto a table, creating a catastrophic impact that resembled a tsunami or an earthquake.
- Amid the crisis, rescue efforts were intensified, with over 400 helpers working tirelessly to find survivors and provide assistance, while calls for blood donations echoed across the affected city.
