Santo Domingo Jet Set nightclub roof collapse: At least 124 dead, rescue operations ongoing

Rescue operations continued more than 24 hours after the collapse, with officials focused on finding survivors. While no preliminary findings have been released regarding the cause of the collapse, authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation. "Everyone wants to know what happened, but right now the focus is on saving lives," said Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos. The Jet Set club’s owners have stated that they are cooperating with authorities during the investigation.

Authorities have stated that it is too early to determine the cause of the roof collapse. "It’s too early to determine why the roof fell," said officials. The government has not confirmed when Jet Set was last inspected, nor how often buildings in the Dominican Republic are generally inspected. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred the Associated Press to the mayor’s office for comment, but no response was received.

Jet Set was an iconic nightclub in southern Santo Domingo, operating for nearly five decades. It was renowned for its "Jet Set Mondays," which featured local and international merengue artists. The club, which opened in 1973, became a major cultural hub in the Dominican Republic, hosting celebrities and attracting large crowds for its lively music and vibrant atmosphere. It underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and was struck by lightning in 2023.

The collapse claimed the lives of several well-known figures, including Rubby Pérez, who was initially thought to have been rescued but was later found dead under the rubble. The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, also survived but was seen covered in blood after the incident. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was pulled from the debris but died in the hospital, as did Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims included fashion designer Martín Polanco and several employees of Grupo Popular, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among those trapped under the debris. In a heartbreaking moment, she alerted President Luis Abinader to the disaster while calling from beneath the rubble. "I’m under the debris," she said in the call. She later died at the hospital. The tragic news was confirmed by first lady Raquel Abraje.

A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling, with people beginning to move away moments before the entire roof collapsed onto the crowd. The video captured the panic as people tried to flee the area. Firefighters worked to clear blocks of concrete and create makeshift paths to reach survivors trapped under the rubble.

The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed during a merengue concert, killing at least 124 people and injuring hundreds more. Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those at Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck early Tuesday. Officials have said it’s too early to determine why the roof fell. Rescue crews are still searching for survivors in the rubble as people anxiously await word of their loved ones.