The death toll from the catastrophic roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic has now risen to 98, as emergency crews continue digging through rubble in a desperate search for survivors. More than 160 people were injured in the collapse, which occurred during a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo early Tuesday morning.
The venue, a well-known nightlife hotspot in the capital, was hosting a packed event attended by politicians, athletes, and locals when the roof suddenly gave way. Authorities say the collapse was sudden and devastating, burying scores of patrons under concrete and debris.
Rescue teams led by Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, have worked tirelessly since the early hours of Tuesday to locate those still trapped. “We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” Méndez said Tuesday night. “We’re going to search tirelessly.”
Even 12 hours after the roof came down, crews were still pulling survivors from the wreckage. They paused frequently to listen for cries beneath the rubble, using wooden planks to shift heavy slabs of concrete while drills echoed through the air. Méndez confirmed that rescuers were focusing on three areas where they had detected potential signs of life.
Among the confirmed dead is Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi and sister of Major League Baseball star Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Abraje revealed that Cruz had managed to call President Luis Abinader shortly after midnight, reporting that she was trapped beneath the collapsed roof. Cruz was rushed to a hospital but later died. “This is too great a tragedy,” said an emotional Abraje.
The Dominican Republic’s baseball community also suffered tragic losses. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, was pulled from the debris and taken to a hospital, but died from his injuries. Dominican professional baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera was also killed, confirmed by the national league’s spokesperson, Satosky Terrero.
As night fell on Tuesday, dozens of families stood outside the site, singing hymns and praying for news of their missing loved ones. National lawmaker Bray Vargas was among the injured. Initial reports that merengue star Rubby Pérez had been rescued were later corrected—authorities now say he remains unaccounted for.
Enrique Paulino, Pérez’s manager, described the horror. Covered in blood, he told reporters that the concert began just before midnight and that the roof collapsed less than an hour later, killing the group’s saxophonist. Paulino said he narrowly survived by diving into a corner, initially mistaking the rumble for an earthquake.
There is still no official explanation for what caused the roof to collapse. It remains unclear when the building was last inspected. Jet Set’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the country at the time but returned to Santo Domingo Tuesday night. In a statement, he called the event “devastating” and offered condolences to the victims.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities,” the club said in a release. “There are no words to express the pain this event has caused.”
While investigations are underway, officials say their primary focus remains on rescue and recovery. Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told local media that determining the cause would come later. “Right now, everyone wants answers, but saving lives is our priority,” she said.
Authorities have created a makeshift morgue near the site as more than 120 people lined up to donate blood at two collection centers. In hospitals, officials read aloud the names of the injured while families anxiously waited for updates. Photos of the deceased were circulated by the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to help loved ones identify them.
For many, the wait continues. Manuel Olivo Ortiz stood outside the nightclub all night, praying for his son, who had attended the concert and never returned. “We’re holding on only to God,” he said. Massiel Cuevas waited for her 22-year-old goddaughter, Darlenys Batista. “She’s in there,” she said with quiet determination. “I know she’s in there.”
President Luis Abinader took to social media to express sorrow and pledged the government’s full support. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” he wrote. “We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred.” Abinader later visited the scene, embracing grieving families and encouraging the crowd not to lose faith. “We have hope in God that more people will be rescued alive,” he told reporters.
Outside the building, an official with a megaphone pleaded with the crowd to clear the way for ambulances. “Please cooperate with authorities,” he urged. “We are removing people.”
At a nearby hospital, the names of survivors were called out as hopeful relatives clung to every word, shouting the names of their loved ones in response. Meanwhile, at the forensic institute, mourners gathered quietly, staring at printed photos of victims in hopes of finding closure.
The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub has become one of the deadliest tragedies in the country’s recent history. As the rescue mission enters another day, the nation remains on edge, waiting for answers—and praying for miracles.
