Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Over 180 people were tragically killed in the Caribbean nation’s worst disaster in decades when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed early Tuesday morning. The death toll continued to rise, with emergency personnel reporting an additional 60 deaths by late Wednesday, bringing the total confirmed count to 184. The search for survivors was called off as no more reasonable possibilities of finding anyone alive were left.
The head of the fire service in Santo Domingo, Jose Luis Frometa Herasme, confirmed that the rescue effort had been completed. Rescue workers and sniffer dogs had been tirelessly searching through the rubble for two days, with aerial images depicting a scene reminiscent of an earthquake aftermath. The nightclub, popular among locals for over 50 years, was hosting a performance by the renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez when the roof collapsed, injuring over 500 people in the process.
Relatives of the missing gathered outside the devastated club, hospitals, and morgue, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Among the deceased were Pérez, as well as two former Major League Baseball players. Antonio Hernandez, the father of a nightclub employee, expressed his dwindling hope of finding his son alive as more bodies were recovered. Meanwhile, Mercedes Lopez awaited news of her missing son, clinging to hope despite not finding him on any lists or in hospitals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered condolences, acknowledging that at least one American citizen was among the victims. Pope Francis also sent his sympathies to the affected families. As tributes poured in for Pérez and the other victims, President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning. The disaster at the Jet Set nightclub is considered one of the worst in Dominican history, drawing comparisons to a tragic fire in 2005 that claimed over 130 lives.
Survivor Iris Pena recounted the horrifying experience inside the club, describing the chaos and destruction caused by the sudden collapse. The club’s management pledged to cooperate fully with authorities investigating the incident. The nation, still reeling from the tragedy, is left to mourn the lives lost and support the families of the victims in their time of grief.