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Deadly Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic: Baseball Star Octavio Dotel Among Missing
A devastating incident at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. Among those unaccounted for following the roof collapse at the popular Jet Set venue is former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel. The disaster occurred during a performance by merengue singer Rubby PĆ©rez, when a section of the ceiling gave way, causing chaos and panic.
Tragic Incident at Jet Set Nightclub
The roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed around 12:44 AM on Tuesday, during a live concert by acclaimed merengue artist Rubby PĆ©rez. The sudden structural failure sent debris crashing down onto attendees, resulting in immediate casualties and leaving many trapped beneath the rubble.
Singer Rubby PĆ©rez and Over 100 Others Rushed to Hospitals
Rubby PĆ©rez, known for his chart-topping hits, was rescued from the wreckage but sustained what are believed to be severe injuries. Emergency services have reported that at least 121 individuals, including PĆ©rez, were promptly transported to various medical facilities throughout the Dominican capital for urgent treatment. The scale of the incident has placed significant pressure on local hospitals as they handle the influx of injured victims.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency responders are diligently working at the scene, continuing their efforts to locate and extricate any individuals still trapped within the collapsed structure. The precarious nature of the debris field presents challenges to rescue teams as they navigate the wreckage in search of survivors.
Desperate Scenes as Paramedics Provide On-Site Aid
According to reports from Dominican television station Supercanal, paramedics at the scene administered intravenous fluids to some club patrons who remained trapped beneath the debris, awaiting rescue. These on-site medical interventions highlight the urgency and severity of the situation as rescue efforts continue.
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Governor and Sister of Baseball Player Nelson Cruz Among Fatalities
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader confirmed that the deceased include Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of former Major League Baseball player Nelson Cruz. The loss of Governor Cruz adds a prominent name to the growing list of victims of this nightclub tragedy.
Eyewitness Account Precedes Collapse
Disturbing video footage captured by a nightclub guest just before the incident shows an individual pointing out a potential issue with the ceiling. “Oh, something fell from above, you see? Something fell from the ceiling,” the guest remarked, mere moments before the catastrophic collapse.
Witness Videos Capture Moments Before and After
Image: Rubby PĆ©rez performing at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, shortly before a section of the ceiling collapsed on Tuesday. PĆ©rez was extracted from the rubble and quickly taken to a nearby hospital.
Image: The scene of devastation in the aftermath of the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub.
Image: Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel is still missing following the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub early Tuesday morning.
Family Members Express Anguish
In the chaotic aftermath, a woman, seemingly connected to the man recording the earlier video, can be heard desperately crying out, “Dad, what happened to you?” Her emotional outburst underscores the personal tragedies unfolding amidst the widespread disaster.
Lighting Structure Mentioned Prior to Incident
Another video recording shows numerous patrons observing a lighting fixture attached to the ceiling just before the roof imploded. Whether this observation is related to the cause of the collapse remains under investigation by authorities.
Heroic Act Amidst Chaos: Daughter Recounts Escape
Zulinka PĆ©rez, daughter of the singer, recounted to reporters the harrowing experience, stating that one of her father’s backup singers and her husband shielded her during the collapse. Her husband reportedly urged her to prioritize her safety, saying, “Babe get out so the child won’t be alone if this whole thing falls down. I crawled out,” demonstrating selfless bravery in the face of danger.
Image: Nelsy Cruz (right), governor of Montecristi province, pictured with her brother, former MLB star Nelson Cruz (left). Nelsy Cruz is among the confirmed fatalities.
Image: Legendary merengue artist Rubby PĆ©rez (left) and his band performing their Monday night set at Jet Set nightclub before the venue’s roof suffered a catastrophic collapse.
Authorities Vow to Continue Rescue Efforts
Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, assured reporters that authorities are committed to the ongoing search, emphasizing that “authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble.” This pledge offers a sense of hope that further survivors may still be found within the debris of the nightclub, which has a capacity for 1,000 people.