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Search Continues for Survivors After Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse
Emergency responders in the Dominican Republic are engaged in a relentless search for survivors following a devastating roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo. The incident at the Jet Set club has triggered widespread concern and a large-scale rescue operation.
Tragedy at Jet Set Nightclub
The catastrophic event at the popular Jet Set club occurred just before 1:00 AM local time on Tuesday (05:00 GMT). Authorities have confirmed at least 124 fatalities and over 150 individuals injured as a result of the collapse. Juan Manuel Méndez, Head of Emergency Operations, indicated that rescue teams have a limited window, estimating “24 to 36 hours left” to locate potential survivors trapped beneath the debris.
Concert Turned Disaster
The Jet Set club was packed with hundreds of patrons attending a performance by merengue singer Rubby Pérez when the roof suddenly gave way. The venue, a well-known entertainment spot, became the scene of a horrific tragedy, leaving many concert-goers in critical condition.
Notable Casualties
Among those confirmed dead are merengue singer Rubby Pérez, former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and a provincial governor. The loss of these public figures has amplified the national mourning and shock.
Eyewitness Account and Mobile Footage
Mobile phone footage from inside the nightclub, verified by the BBC, captured the moments leading up to the collapse. In the video, Rubby Pérez is seen performing on stage while the person filming notes, “Something fell from the ceiling,” pointing upwards. Pérez is seen looking in the direction indicated just seconds before the footage abruptly cuts out with a loud noise and a woman’s cry, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
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Rescue Efforts and Community Response
Initial estimates suggest between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the venue when the roof caved in. Emergency personnel have since demolished a section of the nightclub’s wall to improve access to the wreckage and facilitate the search for anyone still trapped.
Vigils and Desperate Wait for News
Distraught relatives of those missing have gathered at the site, holding vigils as they anxiously await updates. Zulinka Pérez, Rubby Pérez’s daughter and a backing vocalist in his band, recounted her harrowing experience of being on stage with her father when the disaster struck.
Survival and Loss
Zulinka described how her husband shielded her during the collapse, urging her to escape for their son’s sake. Both Zulinka and her husband managed to escape the rubble. However, her 69-year-old father, Rubby Pérez, remained trapped for many hours. Despite initially surviving the collapse and even singing to guide rescuers to his location, Zulinka was later informed that her father had perished before he could be freed. His manager subsequently confirmed his death.
Governor’s Alert and Further Fatalities
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, also survived the initial impact and bravely alerted authorities by directly contacting the President of the Dominican Republic. Injured beneath the debris, her first act was to call President Luis Abinader, pleading for emergency services to assist others severely injured around her. Only after contacting the president did she call her brother, former MLB star Nelson Cruz. Tragically, Nelsy Cruz later succumbed to her injuries in hospital. Octavio Dotel, another former Major League Baseball player, was rescued alive but passed away en route to a medical facility.
Investigation Underway into Nightclub Collapse
The precise cause of the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse remains under investigation. The venue, previously a cinema, had been repurposed into a music venue hosting regular dance music events, particularly on Monday nights. These events attracted a diverse crowd, including athletes, celebrities, and politicians. In response to the tragedy, President Abinader has declared three days of national mourning, reflecting the widespread grief and loss felt across the Dominican Republic.