At least 15 people have been confirmed dead following a catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic capital of Santo Domingo, early Tuesday morning. Emergency services are continuing to search for survivors as rescue efforts unfold.
The disaster occurred during a live performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Perez. The exact cause of the roof collapse remains unclear.
“Unfortunately, we have had 15 deaths so far… we are hopeful of finding many more people alive,” Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), told the press. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, with over 370 rescuers on the ground. Mendez confirmed that 101 people have been transferred to hospitals via ambulance, but he noted that the number of injured may be higher, as multiple victims are being transported in single ambulances.
In an Instagram update, Mendez assured the public that rescue efforts are ongoing. “We are still working, searching for people in the rubble. We presume that many of them are still alive, that’s why the authorities here with their teams will not stop until we find the last person in that rubble,” he said in a video shared by the Dominican Republic National Police.
Perez was found alive and is reported to be in stable condition. His manager, Evelio Herrera, confirmed the news in an Instagram post, expressing hope for additional survivors. “Let’s keep praying that more people continue to appear alive,” Herrera added.
Local media outlets have published photos showing the collapsed roof, with crumbling cement walls and large piles of debris scattered across the scene. Authorities have not yet provided an estimate of how many people were inside the nightclub at the time of the collapse, but local reports suggest that the club typically holds a concert or party every Monday night.
Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó expressed her condolences, offering her deepest sympathy to the families affected. “Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The city’s national disaster response committee has been activated in response to the tragedy.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader also addressed the situation, expressing his support for the ongoing rescue operations. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the families affected,” Abinader wrote on X.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing as authorities continue to hope for more survivors.
