The tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has claimed the lives of 225 people. The disaster struck during a packed merengue concert on Tuesday, leaving many attendees in shock and mourning.
Rescue efforts were swift, with 189 individuals pulled alive from the rubble. As of Saturday, health officials reported that 15 of those rescued remain hospitalized, five of whom are in critical condition. The grim toll rose overnight when four more victims were confirmed dead.
Among the deceased are notable figures, including former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and brother of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, also lost his life in the incident. The community is grieving deeply, as many attendees were enjoying the lively atmosphere when the roof suddenly collapsed.
Health Minister Victor Attalah mentioned that identifying the victims has been challenging, as many required biometric data for confirmation. All bodies have now been returned to their families for burial.
President Luis Abinader and his wife attended the funeral of singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof fell. Mourners gathered in black and white attire, some in tears as a recording of Perez singing the national anthem played during the service.
While the cause of the collapse is still under investigation, officials have stated it is too early to determine what led to this catastrophic event. Prosecutors visited the scene after rescue operations concluded, but the focus remains on supporting the families affected by this tragedy.