A night of music and celebration turned tragic when the roof of the renowned Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed early Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 98 people and injuring more than 150 others, according to officials.
The nightclub, a staple of Dominican nightlife, was hosting a merengue concert at the time of the disaster. The venue was filled with guests, including politicians, athletes, and local celebrities. The collapse occurred just before 1 a.m., burying many attendees beneath concrete, metal, and debris.
Merengue singer Rubby Pérez had just taken the stage when the structure gave way. His manager later confirmed that Pérez was among the victims who did not survive. The death toll, which continues to rise as emergency crews sift through the wreckage, has left the nation in shock.
Among those killed were two former Major League Baseball players. Octavio Dotel, 51, who played for a record 13 MLB teams and was part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship team, was pulled from the debris but later succumbed to his injuries. The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League confirmed his passing, noting that he was beloved by fans and teammates alike.
Dotel had faced personal tragedy earlier in life, including the loss of his father during a robbery. Despite these hardships, he pursued baseball with relentless determination, once stating, “I just have to keep playing hard and get what I’m looking for. I think God helps me because I’m here.”
Also among the deceased was Tony Blanco, a former infielder for the Washington Nationals. His death was confirmed by league spokesperson Satosky Terrero. Blanco had a brief stint in the majors before continuing his career in Japan and Mexico, where he earned respect for his powerful bat and quiet demeanor.
The collapse also claimed the life of Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz. First Lady Raquel Arbaje revealed that Cruz had managed to place a frantic call to President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., reporting that she was trapped after the roof fell. She later died at the hospital.
Rescue efforts began immediately and continued throughout the day. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center for Emergency Operations, confirmed that crews were working tirelessly, removing debris and listening for signs of life.
“We’re going to search tirelessly for people,” he told reporters.
Firefighters and emergency responders, some using drills and others digging with their bare hands, worked for hours to pull survivors from the ruins. As late as midday, Méndez shared that rescuers were still hearing sounds beneath the rubble, raising hopes that more people could be found alive.
Video clips captured inside the nightclub show guests enjoying the concert just moments before the disaster. In one recording, a man near the stage points to the ceiling, saying, “something fell,” as Pérez seems to react. Seconds later, the screen goes black, followed by the sound of a woman screaming, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
A surviving band member described the moment as surreal, stating, “I thought it was an earthquake,” and estimating that the collapse happened around 1 a.m. The venue was packed wall to wall.
Authorities have since opened a full investigation into the tragedy, with questions arising about when the building was last inspected and whether any structural issues had been previously flagged or ignored.
As the country mourns the lives lost, the scene remains cordoned off, with emergency crews still working through the wreckage and families gathering nearby in search of answers.
