Rescuers are currently searching for survivors amid the debris of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where at least 98 individuals, including a former Major League Baseball star, lost their lives due to a roof collapse.
The tragedy occurred during a concert by renowned Dominican merengue artist Rubby Perez, who was confirmed to be one of the deceased, as reported by his manager and family members present at the scene.
The event saw attendance from politicians, athletes, and other notable figures.
Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northern Monte Cristi province, as stated by President Luis Abinader.
Local authorities verified that former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco also perished in the incident.
Mr. Dotel was pronounced dead while being transported to a local hospital after being rescued from the wreckage, according to a spokesman for the country’s sports ministry.
The 51-year-old debuted with the New York Mets in 1999 and played until 2013, representing over a dozen teams during his career.
“Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic,” said Carlos Mendoza, manager of the Mets, during a press conference.
People examine the lists of victims’ names outside the nightclub.
A black-and-white image of the player along with the Dominican flag was displayed on the scoreboard at Citi Field in New York before the game yesterday between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins.
“Peace to his soul,” the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League expressed on social media.
Reports suggest that between 500 and 1,000 patrons were inside the club at the time of the collapse. The venue has a seating capacity of 700 and can accommodate approximately 1,000 standing guests.
Dozens of ambulances transported the injured to hospitals, as crowds gathered outside the nightclub, anxiously seeking information about their loved ones.
A moment of silence was observed for Octavio Dotel, who lost his life in the collapse.
President Abinader visited the site and announced three days of national mourning.
‘Hope for Life’
Iris Pena, a woman who attended the concert, shared her escape story with SIN television.
“At one moment, dust started falling like dirt onto the drinks on our table,” she recalled.
“A stone hit and cracked our table, allowing us to escape,” Ms. Pena recounted. “The impact felt so intense, as if a tsunami or earthquake had occurred.”
A crane was assisting in clearing some of the heavier debris.
Aerial footage revealed a significant gap where the club’s roof once stood, while workers in hard hats sifted through the rubble.
The Jet Set club’s Instagram page noted it had been in operation for over 50 years, hosting shows every Monday until the early hours.
Yesterday, the club released a statement affirming its commitment to work “fully and transparently” with authorities.
The Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, welcomed over 11 million visitors in 2024, according to the tourism ministry.
Tourism accounts for about 15% of the country’s GDP, with visitors drawn by its Caribbean beaches, vibrant music and nightlife, as well as the colonial architecture found in Santo Domingo.
