As of April 17, 231 people have died due to the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic. Officials have informed NBC News that 189 individuals have been rescued from the rubble, while 200 people have been injured and 15 are currently hospitalized.
The Jet Set nightclub, famous for hosting concerts on Monday nights, was built in 1973 and had undergone renovations twice. It was known for its live music performances and was a major attraction. However, on April 8, the roof collapsed onto a crowd of approximately 1,000 people. Rubby Pérez, a renowned Dominican singer, tragically lost his life while performing when the roof caved in at midnight. Two former Major League Baseball players, Octavio Dotel, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, and Tony Blanco, a first baseman for the Orix Buffaloes, also died in the incident. Eyewitnesses reported that the roof collapsed an hour into the performance.
Emergency services and international teams responded quickly to the scene, with about 400 responders involved in the search and rescue efforts. Reports indicate that Pérez was singing under the debris to assist the responders before he was found dead. However, after the first day of searching, no additional victims were found alive. First responders reported making 138 ambulance transfers, although the official number is not confirmed.
This tragedy has been a source of sorrow, not just for the local community, but for the world at large. The MLB has honored the lost players, and the Dominican Republic has declared six days of national mourning. The nation’s senate has also issued a statement expressing grief over the disaster. A memorial service for Pérez was attended by President Abinader and the First Lady, while the presidents of Venezuela and Cuba extended their condolences.
