At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and more than 160 injured after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, authorities said on Tuesday.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at the Jet Set club during a live performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency teams continue to search through the debris for potential survivors. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the emergency operations centre, expressed hope that some victims may still be alive beneath the rubble. “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” he stated.
Officials have yet to determine what caused the roof to collapse, which took place nearly an hour after the concert began. Among the injured is Rubby Pérez himself, according to authorities. His manager, Enrique Paulino, recounted the chaotic moments leading up to the collapse, saying, “It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner.” He also revealed that the band’s saxophonist was killed in the incident and that he initially thought it was an earthquake.
President Luis Abinader responded to the tragedy with a message on social media, stating that all emergency services were “working tirelessly” to assist those affected. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he posted on X. The president later visited the site, offering support to families searching for missing loved ones.
At a nearby hospital treating the injured, an official read aloud the names of survivors as anxious family members and friends listened, many shouting out names through tears in a desperate search for news.
Footage allegedly taken inside the nightclub before the collapse circulated on social media, showing patrons glancing up at the ceiling and moving away from the centre of the dancefloor. Screams were heard before the video abruptly ended. While the video has not been independently verified, it has added to the growing sense of shock surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has cast a pall over the Dominican capital, as authorities continue their investigation and search efforts.
Watch some of the videos below……………………………………
– A roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has left at least 13 people dead and 93 others hospitalized, according to local reports.
The tragic incident, which occurred in a popular entertainment venue. Authorities are investigating the cause of the… pic.twitter.com/ZoR3Oq12wb
— The Informant (@theinformant_x) April 8, 2025
World Series champion missing after nightclub ceiling collapse that killed at least 27
Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel is among dozens of people missing after a roof collapsed and killed 27 at a popular night club in the Dominican Republic.
The incident took place… pic.twitter.com/KVUcK76cn5
— Grifty (@TheGriftReport) April 8, 2025
Source: Linda Ikeji