Nationwide — At least 18 people have died and more than 120 others were injured after the roof of a popular nightclub called Jet Set collapsed early Tuesday in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Rescue crews continue to search for survivors in the debris of Jet Set nightclub, where the incident occurred during a late-night concert. The incident was captured on video.
According to multiple news sources, including CNN, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi is among the deceased. Injured in the collapse was renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time. Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, recounted the terrifying moment the roof gave way, revealing that the group’s saxophonist was killed. “It all happened so fast. I thought it was an earthquake,” he said, still visibly shaken and covered in blood.
The cause of the structural failure has not yet been determined. The concert reportedly began shortly before midnight, and the collapse occurred nearly an hour later, catching many in the crowd off guard.
Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the tragedy on social media, saying, “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” and that all rescue and emergency agencies were working around the clock. He later visited the site, embracing grief-stricken relatives and bystanders, although he did not speak to the press.
Outside the nightclub, an official with a megaphone pleaded with onlookers to clear the way for emergency vehicles, urging cooperation as rescuers pulled victims from the wreckage. At a nearby hospital, another official read aloud the names of the injured, while anxious families cried out in hopes of hearing familiar names.