A devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, claimed at least 124 lives and injured more than 155 people during a performance early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred around 12:34 a.m. local time and occurred during a packed merengue concert featuring Dominican artist Rubby Pérez. Although Pérez was initially reported to have survived the roof collapse, he has since been confirmed as deceased. His body was pulled from the rubble on Wednesday morning, CNN reported. His saxophonist was also killed.
Former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, as well as Montecristi Governor Nelsy Cruz Martinez, the sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, were also listed among the deceased. The tragedy has deeply affected the Dominican sports community and government officials alike.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader expressed his condolences, stating, “We are profoundly saddened by the disaster at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been monitoring the situation closely since it occurred. All emergency services are providing essential support and are dedicated to the rescue operations.”
Search and rescue operations continued through Wednesday with specialized teams, including canine units and heavy machinery, working to clear debris. The investigation into the cause of the collapse remains ongoing, with authorities examining potential connections to previous structural damage from a fire in 2023.
MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. offered support to the Dominican baseball community, while U.S. officials confirmed that at least one American citizen was among the victims. The international community has rallied to provide assistance to the Caribbean nation in the wake of this disaster.
Families of victims gathered at the scene, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones as rescue efforts continued. The incident occurred during “Jet Set Mondays,” a popular weekly event that typically attracts local and international celebrities.