Singer Rubby Pérez, MLB star among 124 dead in Dominican nightclub roof collapse

Puerto Rico: A devastating roof collapse at the renowned Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, killed at least 124 people and left hundreds injured. Among the dead were merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time of the collapse, and former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Night of celebration turns into horror

The disaster occurred nearly an hour after the concert began early Tuesday morning. Jet Set, a popular venue known for its Monday night merengue events, was packed with locals and celebrities, including athletes, politicians and entertainers, when tragedy struck.

Video shared on social media shows a section of the roof starting to give way, with people reacting and moving moments before the structure completely collapsed on top of them.

Casualties include prominent figures

The concert was headlined by Rubby Pérez, a beloved figure in Dominican music. Authorities confirmed early Wednesday that his body was recovered from the rubble. His manager, Enrique Paulino, who was present and left bloodstained, said the group’s saxophonist also lost his life.

Octavio Dotel, a former MLB All-Star, was pulled from the wreckage but later died at a hospital, the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League announced.

Also among the deceased were Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who was the father of four young girls, and three employees from Grupo Popular, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

Governor dies after calling president from the rubble

Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB veteran Nelson Cruz, was also among the victims. According to First Lady Raquel Abraje, she had managed to call President Luis Abinader from beneath the debris before succumbing to her injuries at a hospital.

Cause of collapse remains unclear

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collapse. Firefighters and rescue workers continued to search for survivors more than 24 hours later, navigating broken concrete and using makeshift planks to reach those trapped.

Authorities have not disclosed how often the nightclub had been inspected. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor’s office, which has not yet responded. The club’s owners said in a statement that they are cooperating with authorities.

History of an iconic venue

Jet Set, which opened in 1973, had long been a cultural landmark in the Dominican Republic. Known for its "Jet Set Mondays," the club hosted famous merengue and salsa artists and was a favourite destination for locals and international visitors alike.

It moved to a new location some years ago, marking the move with a performance by merengue legend Johnny Ventura. Renovations were carried out in 2010 and 2015, and the club was reportedly struck by lightning in 2023.

Tickets for Monday’s concert ranged from $32 for general admission to $40 for VIP entry, according to Jet Set's website.

Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told local TV that while everyone is eager for answers, the main priority remains finding survivors. “Everyone wants to know” what happened, she said, “but right now, our focus is on saving lives."

An in-depth investigation is expected, though authorities have not released any preliminary findings on what led to the structural failure.

(agency inputs)