A terrible tragedy struck the Dominican Republic early Tuesday when the roof of a popular nightclub, Jet Set, collapsed during a live concert in the capital city, Santo Domingo. The incident has claimed at least 98 lives and injured 160 others, with rescue operations still ongoing.
What Happened at the Jet Set Nightclub?
The disaster happened at around 12:34 a.m. during a live performance by famous Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez. According to the national police, the roof of the nightclub suddenly gave way and collapsed in just a few seconds, trapping many people inside.
Emergency responders and rescue teams rushed to the scene and have been working non-stop to search for survivors in the debris. Families of those who were inside the club gathered nearby, waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
Victims Include Famous Personalities
Among those who died were two well-known former Major League Baseball (MLB) players.
Octavio Dotel, 51, was pulled from the rubble by rescue teams but sadly passed away in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. He was known for playing with 13 different MLB teams, including the New York Mets, who held a moment of silence in his honour before their game.
Tony Blanco, 44, another Dominican baseball player who had played for the Washington Nationals and also in Japan, also lost his life in the collapse. The Dominican Ministry of Sports paid tribute to him, saying his legacy in national baseball would never be forgotten.
Also among the victims was Montecristi Governor Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez. She was the sister of former MLB star Nelson Cruz, who shared an emotional message on behalf of their family, calling her a woman who served others with love and dedication.
Official Reactions and Condolences
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy. He posted on social media saying that the government has been monitoring the situation closely and that all emergency services were doing everything possible to help the victims.
MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. also shared his condolences. He said the whole baseball community is deeply saddened by the loss of lives and sent support to all affected families, especially those connected to the game.
Investigation Underway
An official investigation into what caused the roof to collapse has started. Authorities revealed that a fire occurred at the Jet Set nightclub in 2023, which had damaged part of the structure. It is still not clear if that damage played a role in this recent disaster.