Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo plunges Dominican Republic into mourning after catastrophic tragedy. What began as a vibrant celebration with a performance by iconic merengue star Rubby Pérez ended in horror as the ceiling caved in, killing at least 184 people and injuring many more.
Beloved national figures died in the collapse, including Rubby Pérez, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Cabrera, and Governor Nelsy Cruz. The collapse also claimed the lives of prominent fashion designer Martín Polanco and high-ranking members of the Grullón banking family of Grupo Popular.
The event, attended by hundreds, was a star-studded affair. Pérez, widely regarded as a symbol of Dominican cultural pride, was performing one of his signature merengue sets when disaster struck.
“This is a national tragedy of unimaginable proportions,” said Carolina Lorenzo, a local journalist who had personally known Pérez and reported from the collapse site.
Families waited overnight outside the Institute of Pathology, desperately seeking news of loved ones. Rescue teams continued combing the rubble into Wednesday, while the cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Nelson Cruz, the MLB slugger and brother of the late Gov. “Her legacy of service and love will live forever in our hearts,” said Nelsy Cruz in a poignant letter.
Dominican communities came together to grieve in the United States. For those killed in the disaster, including restaurant owner Fray Luis Rosario, vigils were held in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and New York City.
Grupo Popular released a somber statement mourning the loss of its leaders, echoing the nation’s collective sadness.
As the country heals from this devastating event, authorities pledge to prioritize search and rescue efforts, and a comprehensive investigation is underway to identify the cause of one of the biggest structural disasters in Dominican history.
Source: NBC News