 |
| Deadly Roof Collapse At Dominican Club Leaves 79 Dead, over 160 Injured |
Nightclub Roof Collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Kills 79, Including MLB Stars Dotel and Blanco
DECK
Concert turns deadly as Jet Set nightclub crumbles in seconds—search for survivors continues amid rising death toll.
KEY FACTS
-
What: Roof collapse during live concert at Jet Set nightclub.
-
Where: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
-
When: 12:34 a.m., Tuesday.
-
Casualties: 79 dead, 155 injured (official count as of Tuesday evening).
-
Notable Deaths: Former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, Montecristi Gov. Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez.
-
Response: Emergency crews on-site, search-and-rescue ongoing.
-
Investigation: Authorities probing possible structural issues following a previous fire in 2023.
SITUATION SNAPSHOT
The rhythm of merengue music was cut short by screams and chaos when the roof of the packed Jet Set nightclub caved in without warning, sending steel beams and debris crashing down on concertgoers. By dawn, search teams combed through twisted metal and shattered glass, desperate to find signs of life in the wreckage.
WHAT WE KNOW
Authorities confirmed that the collapse took place during a live performance by Dominican merengue star Rubby Pérez. The structure gave way in seconds, according to national police, leaving little time for escape.
Rescue operations began shortly after the disaster and continued through the day. General Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Dominican Republic’s emergency operations center, provided the latest casualty figures during a press conference Tuesday night.
President Luis Abinader addressed the public through social media, stating: 'We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub… All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.'
Among the dead was Octavio Dotel, a beloved former Major League Baseball pitcher, who was retrieved from the debris but succumbed to his injuries en route to a hospital. Dotel played for 13 MLB teams over his career, including the New York Mets.
Tony Blanco, another Dominican baseball talent and former Washington Nationals player, was also confirmed dead by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.
Montecristi Governor Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez was identified among the victims. Her family, including her brother, former MLB star Nelson Cruz, released a statement saying her 'legacy of service and love for others will live forever in our hearts.'
WHAT’S NEXT
Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the collapse. Officials noted that the venue had sustained fire damage in 2023, which may have weakened its structure. Structural engineers are expected to release preliminary findings later this week.
Additional support services, including grief counseling and emergency housing for displaced survivors, are being coordinated by local agencies. A national day of mourning is under discussion by government officials.
VOICES ON THE GROUND
"I grabbed my phone and ran when the ceiling started falling. People were screaming, pushing—there was blood everywhere," said DJ Shakirax, who was present at the event and later posted harrowing videos of the aftermath.
"We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel," the New York Mets said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic."
"His legacy will live on in the history of national baseball," the Ministry of Sports and Recreation wrote of Tony Blanco.
"Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night's tragedy in Santo Domingo," said Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr.
CONTEXT
The Jet Set nightclub has been a staple of Santo Domingo’s nightlife scene for decades, often hosting high-profile artists and drawing large crowds. In 2023, the venue suffered partial fire damage, which authorities now believe may have compromised its structural integrity.
The Dominican Republic has a long and proud connection to Major League Baseball, producing many elite players. This tragic event reverberated deeply within the baseball community and across the nation.
REPORTER INSIGHT
From the scene, the air is thick with dust and anguish as families wait behind police barriers, clutching photographs and calling out names. Cranes and emergency lights illuminate the wreckage where laughter and music once filled the night—now replaced with silence and sorrow.
Get it on Google Play
0 Comments