TUESDAY April 8, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and more than 150 others injured after the roof of a popular nightclub collapsed during a concert in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The tragedy occurred at Jet Set, a well-known discotheque that regularly hosts Monday night merengue performances. The club was packed with patrons enjoying a live show by legendary singer Rubby Pérez when the roof gave way around 1 a.m., trapping dozens beneath the rubble.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with more than 400 search and rescue personnel deployed to the scene. Authorities say the number of casualties could rise as emergency crews continue to search for survivors.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), said rescuers are still working tirelessly to locate those believed to be buried under the debris. “Ambulances have made over 100 trips to nearby hospitals, sometimes carrying more than one patient at a time,” he said, adding that he remained hopeful that some of those trapped were still alive.
While the cause of the collapse is not yet known, video footage taken during the concert shows signs of possible structural issues. In one clip shared on social media, a man can be heard saying, “Something fell from the ceiling,” just seconds before a loud crash silences the music. The screen then goes dark, and a woman’s panicked voice can be heard crying, “Dad, what’s happened to you?”
Another video from inside the club shows people seated at tables and dancing near the stage as Pérez performs, moments before chaos ensues.
A member of Rubby Pérez’s band, speaking to local media, said the venue was filled to capacity at the time of the incident. “I thought it was an earthquake,” the musician recalled. Pérez himself was reportedly among those initially trapped in the rubble. His daughter confirmed that he was caught in the collapse but did not provide further details on his condition.
Dominican President Luis Abinader has extended his condolences to the victims’ families. “We mourn the loss of life and are mobilizing all available resources to support those affected,” he said in a brief statement Tuesday morning.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while local officials have urged the public to stay away from the area as emergency operations continue.
Jet Set has long been a cultural landmark in Santo Domingo’s nightlife, making the incident a devastating blow to the city’s music and entertainment scene.
Rescue operations are expected to continue throughout the night.
