Tragedy strikes Santo Domingo: Roof collapse at nightclub claims dozens of lives
At least 98 people have been confirmed dead and more than 150 injured after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, according to officials.
Among the victims were a provincial governor and former Major League Baseball pitcher, Octavio Dotel. Dotel, who was 51, passed away on his way to the hospital after being rescued from the rubble.
The collapse occurred early on Tuesday during a performance by popular merengue artist Rubby Pérez at the Jet Set nightclub. Pérez was among those killed in the incident, according to his manager.
Hundreds of people were inside the nightclub at the time of the collapse, and around 400 rescuers continue to search for survivors. There are growing concerns that the death toll may rise even further.
Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), expressed hope that many of those trapped under the collapsed roof may still be alive.
Jet Set is a well-known nightclub in Santo Domingo that frequently hosts dance music events on Monday evenings. The venue attracts many prominent figures, including politicians and athletes, and was packed with people when the tragedy occurred.
Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, who was confirmed dead by President Luis Abinader. Nelsy Cruz was the sister of Nelson Cruz, a former Major League Baseball player and seven-time All-Star.
Octavio Dotel, who began his MLB career with the New York Mets in 1999, had played for several teams, including the Houston Astros, Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers before retiring in 2013.
Video footage from inside the club shows people sitting at tables in front of the stage, with some dancing in the back while Rubby Pérez performed.
In another video shared on social media, a man standing next to the stage was seen indicating that something had fallen from the ceiling, while Pérez appeared to glance in the direction the man was pointing. Moments later, a loud noise was heard, followed by a loss of the video feed, as a woman could be heard calling out for her father, expressing concern for his well-being.
A member of Rubby Pérez's band told local media that the club was crowded when the roof collapsed at around 1 a.m. He initially thought it was an earthquake.
Rubby Pérez’s daughter later confirmed that her father was one of those trapped in the debris.
President Abinader has expressed his condolences to the families affected by this tragic incident.
