Dominican Nightclub Collapse Kills 27, Injures 120+
At least 27 people have tragically lost their lives and more than 120 others were injured after the roof of a popular nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, early Tuesday, April 8.
The incident occurred at Jet Set, a well-known venue in the city. Emergency response teams immediately launched a search-and-rescue mission, working through the debris in hopes of finding survivors.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the country’s Center of Emergency Operations, confirmed that efforts were ongoing, stating, “We believe some individuals may still be alive beneath the rubble, and we won’t stop until everyone is accounted for.”
Among the deceased was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi. Additionally, merengue star Rubby Pérez was injured during the collapse while performing at the nightclub.
His manager, Enrique Paulino, who appeared at the scene with blood-stained clothes, described the chaos.
“The concert started just before midnight. About an hour in, the roof suddenly came down. Our saxophonist didn’t survive,” he said, adding that he initially believed it was an earthquake and managed to take cover in a corner.
President Luis Abinader expressed deep sorrow in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying the government was monitoring the situation closely and that all emergency units were working “tirelessly” to assist victims and families. He later visited the site, consoling those desperately searching for loved ones.
Outside the venue, authorities pleaded with the crowd to allow ambulances and emergency workers room to operate.
At nearby hospitals, medical staff read out lists of survivors as anxious relatives shouted the names of their missing family members.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
