98 Dead in Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse
Tragedy strikes during a packed concert, leaving dozens dead and many trapped under rubble.
- Roof collapse at Santo Domingo’s Jet Set nightclub during a concert
- Notable victims include MLB stars Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz
- Rescue efforts ongoing
A catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has left at least 98 people dead and over 150 injured.
The tragic incident occurred early Tuesday morning during a concert by popular merengue artist Rubby Pérez.
Among the victims were former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, who passed away while being rushed to the hospital, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, who was also killed. Cruz was the sister of baseball legend Nelson Cruz.
The nightclub, packed with hundreds of people, was hosting a vibrant concert when the roof suddenly gave way. Rescue efforts continue, with nearly 400 rescuers on the scene, and there are growing fears that the death toll may increase as recovery operations persist.
Despite the devastation, the director of the Emergency Operations Centre, Juan Manuel Méndez, expressed hope that many of those trapped under the rubble are still alive. The tragedy unfolded quickly, with videos showing confusion and panic as the roof collapsed.
