A night of music and celebration ended in devastation when the roof of the famed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed early Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of at least 98 people and injuring more than 150 others, according to officials.
The venue, long considered a cornerstone of Dominican nightlife, was filled with guests attending a merengue concert. Among them were politicians, athletes, and local celebrities. The collapse happened just before 1 a.m., burying dozens beneath concrete, metal, and debris.
Merengue singer Rubby Pérez had just taken the stage when the structure gave way. His manager later confirmed that Pérez was among the victims who did not survive. The death toll, now approaching triple digits, continues to rise as emergency crews work through the wreckage.
Among those killed were two former Major League Baseball players. Octavio Dotel, 51, known for playing with a record 13 MLB teams and helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the 2011 World Series, was pulled from the debris but succumbed to his injuries. The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League confirmed his passing, noting that he was beloved by fans and teammates alike.
Dotel had overcome personal tragedy in his early life, including the loss of his father during a robbery. Despite that heartbreak, he pursued baseball with relentless determination. Reflecting on that time, Dotel once said, “I just have to keep playing hard and get what I’m looking for. I think God helps me because I’m here.”
Also among the deceased was Tony Blanco, a former infielder for the Washington Nationals. His death was confirmed by league spokesperson Satosky Terrero. Blanco played briefly in the majors before continuing his career in Japan and Mexico, earning respect for his powerful bat and quiet demeanor.
The collapse also claimed the life of Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Arbaje shared that Cruz had managed to place a frantic call to President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., reporting that she was trapped after the roof fell. She later died at the hospital.
Rescue efforts began immediately and continued through the day. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center for Emergency Operations, confirmed that crews were working nonstop, removing debris and listening closely for signs of life.
“We’re going to search tirelessly for people,” he told reporters.
Firefighters and emergency responders, some using drills and others digging with their bare hands, worked for hours to pull survivors from the ruins. As late as midday, Méndez shared that rescuers were still hearing sounds beneath the rubble, raising hopes that more people could be found alive.
Enrique Paulino, manager of Rubby Pérez, gave a tearful statement at the scene, his shirt streaked with blood. He said the performance had started shortly before midnight and the roof collapsed within the hour, taking the life of the band’s saxophonist.
Video clips captured inside the nightclub show guests enjoying the concert just moments before the disaster. In one recording, a man near the stage points to the ceiling, saying, “something fell,” as Pérez seems to react. Seconds later, the screen goes black, followed by the sound of a woman screaming, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
A surviving band member described the moment as surreal. “I thought it was an earthquake,” he said, estimating that the collapse happened around 1 a.m. The venue, he added, was packed wall to wall.
Authorities have since opened a full investigation into the tragedy. Questions remain about when the building was last inspected and whether any structural issues had been previously flagged or ignored.
As the country mourns the lives lost, the scene remains cordoned off, with emergency crews still working through the wreckage and families gathering nearby in search of answers.
