Santo Domingo – The death toll from a catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital has climbed past 100, according to rescuers, as the frantic search for survivors continues into Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The disaster struck early Tuesday at around 12:45 a.m. during a packed merengue concert, leaving a trail of devastation at one of Santo Domingo’s most iconic venues, known for its decades-old Monday night dance parties that attract the country’s elite.
Rescue teams, equipped with heavy machinery, drones, and dogs, worked tirelessly through the night to locate survivors amidst the rubble. By late Tuesday, the National Institute of Forensic Sciences reported receiving 98 bodies, a number that has since risen to at least 100, with fears it may grow further. Over 155 trips to local hospitals were made to transport the injured, with ambulances often carrying multiple victims at a time due to the sheer scale of the crisis, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, in a video shared on the national police’s Instagram.
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💔The death toll has risen following a horrific tragedy in the Dominican Republic where the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub collapsed
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 9, 2025
Latest reports indicate that the tragedy claimed the lives of about a hundred people, including politicians and athletes.
The dreadful… pic.twitter.com/eCtNwB4PYq
Among the victims were prominent figures, including Nelsy M. Cruz Martínez, the governor of Monte Cristi province, who called President Luis Abinader from the rubble at 12:49 a.m. but later succumbed to her injuries in a hospital. Former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel, 51, and Tony Blanco also perished, with Dotel passing away en route to medical care after being pulled from the debris. Several members of the Dominican Congress were believed to be inside, including Carlos J. Gil Rodríguez, who underwent emergency surgery, while his two assistants remain missing.
Tragedy hit hard in the Dominican Republic after a nightclub roof came crashing down on partygoers — leaving 18 dead and over 120 injured in the chaos.
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 8, 2025
Read the story HERE: https://t.co/dKitCkEwR4 pic.twitter.com/9dVLo2SL8t
The Jet Set, a 50-year-old former movie theater, had previously experienced a fire, raising questions about its structural integrity, though officials have yet to investigate the cause as rescue efforts take priority. “There are not enough words to express the pain this event causes,” said the club’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, in a social media video. “What happened has been devastating for everyone.”
Sad news here..
— Chris from Massachusetts AKA TommyboyTrader (@autumnsdad1) April 9, 2025
At least 98 people have been killed and more than 150 injured after a roof collapsed at Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic's capital ..
Singer Rubby Pérez Ex-MLB players Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco are among the dead..prayers up🙏
pic.twitter.com/4L9JCwUxjd
President Abinader, who visited the site, expressed deep regret on X, stating, “We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred.” Anxious families gathered at the scene, some reporting up to seven missing relatives, as the search continued for survivors, including merengue singer Rubby Pérez, whose whereabouts remain unknown despite earlier unconfirmed reports of his hospitalization. The tragedy has left the nation reeling, with the baseball community also mourning, as noted by MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., who highlighted the deep ties between the sport and the Dominican Republic.
Key Points:
- Death Toll: The death toll from the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has surpassed 100 as of April 9, 2025.
- Incident Details: The collapse occurred at 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday during a merengue concert at the popular nightclub, a 50-year-old former movie theater known for its Monday night dance parties.
- Rescue Efforts: Rescue teams using heavy machinery, drones, and dogs have made over 155 trips to hospitals, with ambulances often carrying multiple victims due to the high number of injuries.
- Prominent Victims: Among the deceased are Monte Cristi Governor Nelsy M. Cruz Martínez, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and several members of the Dominican Congress were affected, including Carlos J. Gil Rodríguez, who required emergency surgery.
- Ongoing Search: Merengue singer Rubby Pérez and others, including the son of the public works minister, remain missing, with Pérez’s location unconfirmed 14 hours after the collapse.
- Official Response: President Luis Abinader expressed regret and has been monitoring the situation closely, while the club’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, called the event “devastating.”
- Structural Concerns: The building, previously damaged by a fire, has not yet been investigated
