A sense of urgency and grief permeated the gathering at the Dominican Republic’s forensic institute as families awaited news of their loved ones missing following a catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub. The tragedy occurred during a lively merengue concert, with the death toll reaching at least 124 and hundreds injured. Officials from the National Institute of Forensic Pathology announced the identification of 54 victims while more than 250 others sustained injuries.
Desperate relatives expressed their anguish and frustration while waiting for updates, with one woman exclaiming, “We’re going to go crazy” upon not hearing her relative’s name. Officials appealed for calm amid the chaos, noting that 28 bodies had been returned to families, while many others remained unaccounted for.
The historic Jet Set venue was bustling with musicians, athletes, and government officials when disaster struck, with pieces of concrete falling before the entire roof gave way. The aftermath saw frantic calls pouring into emergency services, as those trapped under rubble desperately sought help. Among the deceased was merengue star Rubby Pérez, who had been performing moments before the disaster, and prominent figures such as former MLB player Octavio Dotel.
Rescue efforts persisted beyond 24 hours since the collapse, with teams working tirelessly to locate survivors, having rescued 145 individuals so far. International support arrived from rescue teams in Puerto Rico and Israel, employing sonar technology to find potential survivors trapped beneath the debris.
Identities of many victims remain undisclosed, creating further distress among families searching for loved ones. Among those missing is 61-year-old Milca Curiel, a North Carolina resident vacationing in the Dominican Republic. The hospitalised, numbering over 20, included several in critical condition, with medical professionals expressing cautious optimism given their youth.
As officials read aloud the names of the identified victims, the emotional toll was palpable. Families desperately sought answers, with some even roaming through hospitals clutching photos of those they could not find. Virginia Rosario, a relative of both a missing person and a deceased cousin, lamented, “I’m in a lot of pain,” highlighting the severe emotional repercussions of the disaster.
The identification process remains daunting, with at least 33 bodies yet to be named, leaving many families in a state of uncertainty and anguish. This tragedy is one of the most devastating events to hit the Dominican Republic, as officials struggle to manage the scale of loss and devastation experienced by the community.