In the early hours of Tuesday morning, tragedy struck the heart of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a live merengue concert. At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, with over 160 others injured, many critically. The collapse occurred around one hour after the concert began, during a night that was supposed to be a celebration of music and community. What transpired, however, was nothing short of a disaster that has left the city in shock and grief.
The Collapse: Chaos Unfolds
As hundreds of patrons enjoyed the high-energy beats of the merengue concert, an unexpected and horrifying event unfolded. The roof of the one-story Jet Set nightclub, a well-known venue for political figures, athletes, and locals, caved in with a thunderous crash, sending debris falling onto partygoers below. Witnesses describe the horrific scene as one of complete chaos—people screaming, running for cover, and attempting to escape the building in a panic.
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province, was among the casualties. The dead included politicians, entertainers, and several well-known figures, including former Major League baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel and merengue singer Rubby Prez, who was performing when the roof collapsed. The singer’s saxophonist tragically lost his life in the disaster. Cruz’s death, alongside that of other prominent figures, only deepened the grief of the nation, marking the tragedy as not only a catastrophe of lives lost but also the loss of notable figures.
A Rapid Response: Rescue Operations Underway
Immediately after the collapse, rescue teams rushed to the scene, digging through the rubble in search of survivors. Crews worked tirelessly, sifting through the debris, with the hope of finding those still trapped inside. Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations, stated that despite the grim scene, authorities believed many survivors remained under the wreckage, clinging to life. “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why we will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” Mendez said.
The tragedy unfolded so rapidly that some attendees mistook the event for an earthquake. Enrique Paulino, the manager of Rubby Prez, shared his experience with reporters, recounting the panic and confusion that gripped the crowd. “It happened so quickly,” Paulino said, visibly shaken, his shirt splattered with blood from the fallen. He mentioned that the concert had begun shortly before midnight, and nearly an hour later, the roof came crashing down, shattering the festive mood.
The Fallout: Personal Stories of Grief and Desperation
The collapse has left many families reeling. Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son was attending the concert but did not return home, anxiously waited outside the nightclub, hoping for news. Like many others, he clung to hope, praying that his loved one had somehow survived the disaster. The anguish of family members and friends of the missing has been palpable, with many gathering at the scene, some in tears, desperately hoping to find their loved ones alive.
“I’m holding on only to God,” said Olivo, as authorities continued their search. As the hours passed, the crowd of anxious onlookers grew, with many asking the officials about the status of their loved ones, while rescue teams worked relentlessly to clear the debris and locate any survivors.
