Rescue teams in the Dominican Republic raced against time on Tuesday to save survivors trapped in the rubble of Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where at least 44 people lost their lives and more than 100 sustained injuries after the roof collapsed during an early-morning concert.
Around 400 emergency personnel joined the efforts to search for trapped individuals in the remains of the iconic club, which had been operating for over 50 years. Survivors’ voices could be heard from beneath the debris, prompting rescue teams to focus on saving as many lives as possible.
Singer Rubby Perez Injured and Trapped
Popular Dominican merengue artist Rubby Perez, 69, was performing on stage when the ceiling suddenly came crashing down after a blackout, eyewitnesses said.
“It was sudden. I thought it was an earthquake, so I threw myself to the ground and covered my head,” said Enrique Paulino, Perez’s manager. He added, “One of our saxophonists is dead. We tried to get to the area where Rubby was but there was too much debris there.”
Perez’s daughter, Zulinka, initially feared the worst. She later confirmed that he was alive, though injured and still trapped under rubble.
Club Packed with Hundreds During Collapse
Local reports suggest between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the club when the disaster occurred. Among the deceased was Monte Cristi municipality governor Nelsy Cruz, who died in the hospital due to injuries, President Luis Abinader confirmed.
“Forty-four dead according to preliminary data so far. We continue to work,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE). He also confirmed that over 100 people were injured.
“As long as there is hope for life, all authorities will be working to recover or rescue these people,” he added.
Witnesses Describe Terrifying Moments
Survivors recounted horrifying scenes from inside the venue. Iris Pena, who attended the concert with her son, told SIN television: “At one point, dirt started falling like dust into the drink on the table. I asked the security officers… whether the ground had shaken. A stone fell and cracked the table where we were, and we got out. The impact was so strong, as if it had been a tsunami or an earthquake.”
Families crowded outside hospitals, desperate for updates on their missing relatives. “We are desperate,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was at the concert. “They are not giving us news, they are not telling us anything.”
Rescue Operations and Official Response
Helicopter footage showed a gaping hole in the club’s roof as cranes lifted heavy debris and rescue workers continued their operations. Authorities have issued a call for blood donations to help the injured.
“We are rescuing all the people we can save alive and recovering those bodies we find along the way,” Mendez said. “But we have focused on people we can rescue alive because we hear them asking for help.”
President Abinader, who visited the scene, said, “The main objective is to save lives.”
Jet Set’s official Instagram page, active until just before the tragedy, had promoted the concert with the invitation: “Enjoy his (Perez’s) greatest hits and dance in the country’s best nightclub.” On Tuesday, the club issued a statement saying it is “collaborating fully and transparently with the authorities to help the victims and clarify what happened.”
Tourism Industry Faces Shock
The Dominican Republic, which welcomed over 11 million visitors in 2024, depends heavily on tourism, contributing about 15% to its GDP. The country’s vibrant nightlife, beaches, and cultural offerings remain major attractions for tourists. However, the nightclub tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community and may raise concerns about safety standards in entertainment venues.