At least 79 people have been confirmed dead following the tragic collapse of a nightclub roof in the Dominican Republic. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on April 8 at the popular Jet Set nightclub in the capital, Santo Domingo. The venue was hosting a live performance by renowned Dominican merengue singer Rubby Perez when the roof gave way, sending debris crashing onto the crowd below.
Perez, who was on stage at the time of the collapse, was among those killed. His daughter, Zulinka, managed to escape the wreckage but confirmed that her father did not survive. The disaster also claimed the life of retired Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, who had been rescued alive but later succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. Dotel, 51, was a World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 and a beloved figure in Dominican baseball circles.
The death toll, which initially stood at 15, rose steadily throughout the day as rescue teams searched through the rubble. By evening, it had reached 79. Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Monte Cristi municipality. More than 370 rescue workers have been involved in the recovery efforts, using cranes and digging equipment to comb through mounds of fallen bricks, steel, and roofing materials in hopes of finding survivors.
At the time of the collapse, it is believed that between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the nightclub. The venue has a capacity of 700 seated and can accommodate around 1,000 standing guests. Witnesses described a terrifying scene, beginning with a sudden blackout, followed by the roof caving in.
One attendee, Iris Pena, shared her experience of narrowly escaping the collapse. She recounted how dust began to fall into her drink before a stone cracked the table she was sitting at. Realizing the danger, she and her son fled the building just before the full collapse. “The impact was so strong, as if it had been a tsunami or an earthquake,” she said.
The aftermath saw dozens of ambulances transporting the injured to hospitals, while distraught family members gathered outside medical centers and the nightclub, desperate for news. Many reported a lack of information and communication from authorities, intensifying their anxiety.
A large hole in the roof of the nightclub was visible from aerial footage, as emergency crews worked around the clock. Authorities have called for blood donations to help treat the injured, and support is being coordinated for affected families.
President Luis Abinader visited the site and announced three days of national mourning in memory of the victims. He emphasized the commitment of rescue teams to continue working as long as there is hope of finding survivors.
Jet Set nightclub, a staple of the local nightlife scene for over 50 years, had promoted the evening as an opportunity to enjoy Rubby Perez’s greatest hits. In a statement issued after the tragedy, the club said it was cooperating fully with investigators.
The Dominican Republic is known for its vibrant music and nightlife culture, which is a significant draw for the over 11 million tourists who visited the country in 2024. Tourism contributes around 15 percent of the nation’s GDP, making the nightclub collapse not only a personal tragedy for many families, but also a symbolic blow to the country’s cultural and entertainment sector.
