Deadly Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic Kills 44, Injures Singer Rubby Pérez

The roof of the Jet Set nightclub, a well-known venue in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, collapsed during a live performance early Tuesday (April 8). CNN and the Associated Press are reporting that at least 44 people have been confirmed dead, with another 160 injured. Rescuers are racing to reach about 100 people who are still trapped, according to CNN.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse.

So far, at last 146 people have been rescued, according to CNN. More than 300 people were inside the club at the time of the roof collapse.

Among the injured is merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof fell, officials said. The singer was taken to the Plaza de la Salud hospital, according to medical director Nepomuceno Mejía.

Pérez daughter Zulinka, who is also one of his backup singers, told local media that her father was “found singing” under debris. She explained: “He started singing so they could hear him. He’s always told me: ‘If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures.'”

The AP reported that the Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, spoke to reporters at the scene about the collapse that happened about an hour after the show began at midnight. Paulino said that Pérez’s saxophone player was killed in the incident.

Among the deceased is Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of Monte Cristi, CNN reported. She was also the sister of former Seattle Mariners player Nelson Cruz.

Authorities have launched extensive search and rescue efforts, with the national police sharing on its Instagram account early Tuesday that there have been “101 transfers have been made to different hospital centers in the National District,” noting that “search, rescue and medical assistance” is ongoing in the area, where an estimated 300 people had gathered for the concert.

“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said of the search for survivors and victims inside the venue, according to the AP.

Jet Set issued a statement later on Tuesday morning, sharing condolences to the families of those impacted by the roof collapse. “Last night, a tragedy struck that has deeply shaken the hearts of everyone who is part of Jet Set and all Dominicans. The loss of human lives leaves us in a state of profound sorrow and grief,” the venue shared in part on its Instagram account. “In this difficult moment, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own, as we too are in mourning. We are working fully and transparently with the competent authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened … We join the country in expressing solidarity during this unexpected and painful situation.”

Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the mayor of Santo Domingo, also discussed the “terrible tragedy” and the action being taken in messages posted to X. “My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones,” she wrote. “Our National District Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee is active and in permanent session. We will continue to make every effort and remain united in prayer.”

President Luis Abinader also wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected. “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he shared.

This is a developing story.