Hundreds of South Floridians gathered at Juan Pablo Duarte Park in Miami on Wednesday night to mourn the victims of a devastating roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. The vigil was held to honor those killed and show support for the families affected by the tragedy, which has left the country in mourning.
The death toll from the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub continued to rise, reaching 221 by Thursday, as search crews combed through the rubble for survivors. The tragedy occurred during a merengue orchestra performance by popular singer Rubby Pérez, who was confirmed to be among the victims.
The roof of the nightclub, filled with high-profile guests including musicians, athletes, and government officials, suddenly gave way when dust began to fall from the ceiling. Within moments, the entire roof collapsed, trapping those inside. Among the victims were well-known figures such as former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, saxophonist Luis Solís, and New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco. Also lost in the collapse were several Dominican government officials, including the son and daughter-in-law of the public works minister, the brother of the vice minister of youth, and three employees from Grupo Popular, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.
At Wednesday’s vigil in Miami, attendees prayed for the families of those lost, uniting the community in their shared grief. Wendy Regalado, a Dominican actress residing in Miami, shared heartbreaking news that her cousin had been found dead in the rubble.
“He’s a person whom everyone loved,” said Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who attended the wake of Octavio Dotel on Wednesday, speaking to the deep loss felt by the community. “It’s very hard, very hard, truly.”
Many of South Florida’s Dominican residents, bound by pride in their homeland, came together at the vigil to show solidarity with the victims and their families.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of the 2018-2022 period, approximately 11% of immigrants from the Dominican Republic resided in Florida. This percentage translates to an estimated 264,000 individuals of Dominican origin living in the state.
Dominican communities are notably present in several Florida cities. For instance, the 2020 U.S. Census identified 11,990 Dominicans residing in Miami, 7,557 in Pembroke Pines, and 7,161 in Orlando. Additionally, smaller populations are found in cities like Naples Manor, Country Club, and St. Cloud.
In addition to the vigil, Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Miami will hold a mass on Thursday at 7 p.m. to honor all those who perished in the tragic incident.
As the Dominican Republic mourns its dead, those gathered in Miami held onto hope and faith, hoping that more survivors would be found in the coming days.
