A tragic disaster strikes Santo Domingo as the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapses during a live merengue performance, leaving at least 124 people dead and more than 250 others injured. The catastrophe unfolds in the early hours of April 8, 2025, during what was meant to be a festive night of music and dance.
Among those killed are two well-known former Major League Baseball players. Octavio Dotel, who played for 13 teams over a 15-season career beginning with the New York Mets in 1999, is pulled alive from the rubble but later succumbs to his injuries. Tony Blanco, who appeared in nearly 60 games with the Washington Nationals, is also confirmed dead at the scene. Their deaths have stunned both the Dominican and international sports communities.
Nelsy Cruz, the provincial governor of Montecristi and sister of retired MLB star Nelson Cruz, also perishes in the collapse. Beloved merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof gave way, is among the victims. Pérez had performed in New York’s Inwood neighborhood just the week before, and his death sends shockwaves through fans across the Dominican diaspora.
The collapse occurs about an hour into the concert. Witnesses say that debris began falling from the ceiling before the entire roof gave way, causing chaos as hundreds rushed for safety. A concert-goer captures video of the moment, now circulating widely on social media.
Emergency responders arrive within minutes and work around the clock to pull survivors from the debris. More than 145 people are rescued, many in critical condition. Heavy machinery, canine units, and thermal imaging cameras are deployed to aid in the search for survivors.
Family members and friends of concertgoers gather at local hospitals and outside the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, desperate for information. Authorities report that more than 30 bodies remain unidentified, and the identification process is slowed by the severity of the injuries.
President Luis Abinader declares three days of national mourning. Flags fly at half-mast as the country reels from what has become one of the worst disasters in recent Dominican history. The government pledges full support to victims’ families and launches an immediate investigation into the cause of the structural failure.
The Jet Set nightclub, one of Santo Domingo’s most iconic venues, was built in 1973 and had undergone renovations in 2010 and 2015. Although it has long been a favored destination for live music and cultural events, questions now swirl around its structural integrity, past inspections, and whether any recent warnings were ignored.
The tragedy is prompting widespread calls for reform in building safety regulations, particularly for entertainment venues. Officials confirm the nightclub had experienced a small fire in 2023, but it is unclear whether that incident contributed to the building’s failure.
In New York City, home to a large Dominican population, a makeshift vigil grows at Plaza Las Americas in Washington Heights. Mourners leave candles, flowers, and photos of loved ones, while others gather to pray, share memories, and seek updates on missing family members.
As recovery operations continue, the nation mourns not only a devastating loss of life but also the collapse of a cherished community institution. The tragedy leaves a permanent scar and a solemn reminder of the need for vigilance in public safety.
Source Links:
https://apnews.com/article/d135f5c315e47f1855fd2973fc34f656
https://nypost.com/2025/04/09/world-news/terrifying-moment-dominican-republic-nightclubs-roof-collapses-killing-113-and-trapping-dozens/
https://people.com/death-toll-reaches-113-in-dominican-republic-nightclub-roof-collapse-11711943
https://abcnews.go.com/International/dominican-republic-nightclub-roof-collapse-jet-set/story?id=120608001
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/08/dominican-republican-nightclub-roof-collapse-deaths/
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/death-toll-dominican-republic-nightclub-collapse-rises-124-search-survivors-2025-04-09/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jet-set-santo-domingo-dominican-republic-nightclub-roof-collapse/
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/13972103/jet-set-nightclub-collapse-mlb-death-tony-blanco/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-the-deadly-club-roof-collapse-in-the-dominican-republic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Set_nightclub_roof_collapse
https://youtu.be/xo6CK45DU3A
