A tragic incident occurred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a merengue concert, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The latest victim identified was a 41-year-old Costa Rican national, as reported by health authorities. Earlier, four individuals who had been hospitalised after the incident died overnight, bringing increased urgency to the search and rescue efforts.
Out of the chaos, rescue operations managed to save 189 people from the ruins of the popular venue, while over 200 individuals sustained injuries. As of the latest updates, 14 people remained in hospital, with four in critical condition. Among those present at the concert were notable figures, including politicians and athletes, adding to the shock of the event.
As family members and friends waited for news at a forensic centre, health officials announced that a total of 225 bodies had been returned to families. Health Minister Victor Attalah explained that the identification process was complicated due to the need for biometric matching for most victims.
Notable casualties included former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, along with Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province, who was the brother of famed MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Though the exact cause of the roof failure remains unclear, investigations by prosecutors followed the rescue efforts.
In a poignant moment amidst the tragedy, President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje attended the funeral of singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the disaster struck. Mourners gathered at Santo Domingo’s National Theater, many overcome with grief as recordings of Pérez’s performances filled the space, serving to amplify the collective sorrow felt across the nation.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this calamity, officials continue to investigate the collapse while the focus remains on supporting the affected families and evaluating safety measures to prevent future tragedies.