Hopes of finding more survivors are fading following the deadly roof collapse at the popular Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital on April 8. The tragedy, which struck during a live concert, has claimed at least 136 lives and left more than 160 people injured, prompting a nationwide period of mourning and international concern.
The nightclub was packed with guests attending a performance by beloved merengue artist Rubby Pérez when the roof suddenly gave way around 12:44 a.m. Witnesses described a horrific scene of chaos and screams as concrete slabs fell onto the crowd, trapping dozens beneath the rubble. Emergency services were inundated with distress calls as frantic relatives and survivors attempted to reach loved ones.
Among the dead are some of the Dominican Republic’s most prominent public figures. Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time of the incident, is confirmed to be among the deceased. Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel and Dominican baseball league star Tony Blanco also perished in the collapse. Nelsy Cruz, Governor of Monte Cristi Province and sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz, was killed, as was national football team member Luis Guillén. Martín Polanco, a fashion designer known for his signature guayabera shirts, and Christian Alejandro Tejeda Pichardo, director of urban infrastructure for the mayor’s office in Distrito Nacional, also lost their lives.
Rescue operations began immediately, with local and international teams – including assistance from Puerto Rico and Israel – working tirelessly to locate survivors in the wreckage. By the following day, more than 155 people had been rescued, but hopes have dwindled as time progresses and no new signs of life have been detected.
President Luis Abinader visited the site to oversee the rescue efforts and expressed his condolences to the families affected. He declared a three-day national mourning period from April 8 to 10, with flags flown at half-mast across the country. The Dominican Senate suspended all legislative sessions and committee meetings in light of the disaster.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing. Early reports suggest the nightclub was at full capacity, but no conclusive structural faults have yet been publicly confirmed. Forensic teams and engineers are working to determine whether negligence or poor maintenance contributed to the incident.
At local hospitals and at the site itself, distraught families have gathered, clinging to hope for any news about missing loved ones. The National Institute of Forensic Pathology has begun the difficult process of identifying the deceased, projecting images to help relatives recognize the victims.
The collapse of Jet Set nightclub has sent shockwaves through the Dominican Republic, leaving a scar on the nation’s cultural and public life. As rescue efforts slow and the focus shifts toward recovery and accountability, the country mourns not just the loss of life, but a tragic chapter in its modern history.