At Least 98 Dead, 160 Injured in Horrific Nightclub Collapse in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (AP) — At least 101 people have been killed and 160 injured after the roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo, collapsed. The incident occurred on Tuesday night during a merengue concert, which was attended by politicians, athletes, and people from various walks of life.
Rescue workers are continuing to search through the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub to find any survivors, according to Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the emergency services center. "We are still clearing the debris and trying to locate people," he said late Tuesday night. Even 12 hours after the accident, rescue teams were still trying to extract survivors from the wreckage.
Reports indicate that among those affected were politicians and prominent athletes, including the governor of Montecristi province, Nelcy Cruz, who tragically lost her life in the incident. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 AM, informing him that she was trapped and the roof had collapsed.
Additionally, former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera have been confirmed dead.
At the time of the incident, merengue artist Ruby Pérez was performing, but it is reported that she could not be rescued.
So far, no specific information has been obtained regarding the cause of the collapse or the last safety inspection of the Jet Set nightclub. The club’s owner, Antonio Espayat, is reportedly cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
Dominican President Abinader has arrived at the scene and expressed confidence in the rescue efforts.
A temporary morgue has been set up near the site, and several blood donation centers have been opened for the injured.
Meanwhile, family members of the deceased are desperately waiting to find their loved ones, many of whom are present at the site, singing songs near the rubble.
