Rescue teams are urgently searching through debris after the collapse of the roof at a renowned Dominican Republic nightclub earlier on Tuesday, which killed more than a hundred people.
The collapse occurred at the Jet Set nightclub, located in Santo Domingo, where at least 300 people were present for a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra around 1am. At that time, Pérez’s location remained unknown, raising concerns he might be among the deceased.
Emergency services reported on Wednesday that the incident claimed the lives of at least 113 people, including two ex-Major League Baseball players.
On Tuesday, the National Emergency System reported over 200 injuries due to the collapse.
As the search continued, families of the missing gathered at the site, sharing photos of their missing relatives while numerous ambulances transported the injured to hospitals.
Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center, emphasized on Tuesday night, “We continue clearing debris and searching for people. We’re going to search tirelessly for people.”
The exact cause of the collapse has not been determined.
Aerial footage from local news on Tuesday showed the venue with a massive hole where the audience was situated during the performance.
Video from inside the nightclub seems to capture the moment the crisis occurred.
In one video, the band is seen performing as someone near the stage signals that something has fallen at the back of the Jet Set club. Shortly after, pendant lights and the ceiling began to collapse, accompanied by screams and crashing sounds before the video cuts off.
Octavio Dotel, a former Major League Baseball player, was confirmed dead by Méndez and Dotel’s foundation. He passed away on his way to the hospital after being rescued alive from the debris, as Méndez reported to CNN.
Colegio Sabiduría y Baluarte, Dotel’s educational academy, issued a statement mourning his loss, describing him as someone who left “an indelible mark on all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”
Another former major leaguer, Tony Blanco, also perished in the collapse, as stated by MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred and the Dominican Sports Ministry.
In a statement, the ministry expressed condolences, stating, “We share in their grief with their family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal rest.”
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, was also among those confirmed dead, as announced by Dominican President Luis Abinader. Cruz was related to MLB all-star Nelson Cruz, according to a family statement mourning her loss.
In addition, the son of Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella was reported missing, Méndez added.
Officials noted that personnel from at least 22 public institutions were assisting at the site.
Following the catastrophe, Abinader declared three days of national mourning. He visited the nightclub later Tuesday morning with First Lady Raquel Arbaje to offer their condolences to the victims.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” Abinader wrote on X. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the mayor of the city, remarked that Santo Domingo awoke “to a terrible tragedy,” extending her sympathies to those “still waiting for news of their loved ones.”
The Jet Set nightclub, a prominent venue in the Caribbean nation, is known for its popular Monday night events.
