Death Toll Reaches 184 in Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse
The Dominican Republic is reeling from one of its worst peacetime disasters after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live music performance, killing at least 184 people and injuring over 150 others. The tragedy unfolded during a packed event featuring famous merengue singer Rubby Pérez, attracting hundreds of fans, artists, and high-profile personalities.
The collapse occurred abruptly while the show was underway, sending concrete, steel, and debris crashing down onto the crowd. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, working through the rubble to rescue the injured and retrieve bodies. However, as time wore on, the operation shifted from rescue to recovery, with authorities confirming that the likelihood of finding additional survivors had diminished.
Among the deceased are several prominent individuals, including former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the current governor of Monte Cristi province. Their presence at the venue highlighted the cultural significance of the event and the scale of the loss now felt across multiple sections of Dominican society.
President Luis Abinader has announced three days of national mourning, expressing deep sorrow over the incident and extending condolences to the families of the victims. “This is a national tragedy,” he stated, pledging full government support for the investigation and assistance for the affected families.
Authorities have launched a full probe into the structural failure, focusing on whether the nightclub met construction and safety regulations. Early reports suggest that renovations were underway at the venue, raising questions about whether ongoing construction contributed to the collapse. Civil engineers and forensic teams are examining debris and architectural blueprints to determine if negligence or violations were involved.
This tragic incident has reignited concerns over safety compliance in entertainment venues, particularly in older buildings that host large-scale events. Calls are growing for stricter oversight and mandatory audits of similar establishments to prevent another catastrophe of this scale.
