In a devastating incident that has shocked the Dominican Republic and the international community, the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a concert in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The catastrophic event has claimed at least 124 lives and left more than 155 people injured, with rescue operations continuing amid diminishing hopes of finding additional survivors.
The Incident
The collapse occurred at precisely 12:34 a.m. local time during a performance by renowned Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez. According to Dominican authorities, between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the venue when the structure failed, with the roof collapsing within seconds and leaving hundreds trapped beneath the rubble BBC News1.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after the collapse, beginning a large-scale rescue operation that has continued for more than 24 hours. Specialized technical teams equipped with heavy machinery have been working tirelessly to remove debris and search for survivors, though the head of Emergency Operations has indicated that the window for finding survivors is rapidly closing, estimating only "24 to 36 hours left" from the time of the collapse BBC News1.
Notable Victims
Among the casualties are several high-profile figures whose deaths have sent shockwaves through various communities:
Rubby Pérez: A Musical Legacy Cut Short
Rubby Pérez, the 69-year-old merengue star who was performing at the time of the collapse, was confirmed among the deceased. Just days before the tragedy, Pérez had performed at La Nueva España restaurant in New York, where he enthusiastically told fans about his upcoming trip to Santo Domingo.
"And on Monday I'm heading out, so whoever wants to come with me, let's go," Pérez said to his cheering audience during what would tragically become his final U.S. performance New York Post2.
His daughter Zulinka was reportedly on stage with her father when the roof collapsed, adding a particularly heart-wrenching dimension to this family tragedy BBC News1.
Octavio Dotel: MLB Veteran Lost in the Rubble
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, was another prominent victim of the collapse. Dotel, who enjoyed a 15-year MLB career spanning 13 teams, was pulled from the rubble approximately six hours after the collapse and transported to a hospital, where his condition deteriorated en route, according to Dominican National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira ESPN3.
Dotel's career began with the New York Mets in 1999, and he went on to record 109 saves and maintain a 3.78 ERA throughout his time in the majors. One of the highlights of his career came in 2011 when he helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series ESPN3.
Tony Blanco: A Final Act of Heroism
In one of the most poignant stories to emerge from the tragedy, former MLB player Tony Blanco reportedly sacrificed his own life to save a friend. According to MLB insider Héctor Gómez, Blanco pushed his former teammate Esteban Germán out of harm's way when he noticed part of the ceiling was about to collapse.
"At the time of the collapse in Jet Set, he was returning from the bathroom and, before sitting down at the table, Tony Blanco pushed him when he realized part of the ceiling was about to fall on him," Germán recalled. "Unfortunately, Blanco didn't suffer the same fate as Germán and died seconds later" PEOPLE4.
Blanco, 43, played in 56 games for the inaugural Washington Nationals team in 2005 and later played professionally in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes in 2015. He is survived by his son, Tony Blanco Jr., who is currently a prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates PEOPLE4.
Other Notable Victims
The tragedy claimed several other prominent individuals, including:
- Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of Montecristi province
- Fashion designer Martin Polanco
- According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at least one U.S. national and multiple legal permanent residents were among the victims BBC News1
Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Investigation
Rescue workers have been working around the clock since the collapse occurred. To facilitate rescue operations, emergency teams have demolished one of the walls of the club to better reach those still buried under the debris. Heavy machinery has been employed to carefully remove rubble while specialized technical teams search for signs of life ABC News4.
The exact cause of the roof collapse remains undetermined. However, authorities have noted that there was a fire at the nightclub in 2023 that damaged part of the structure, which may have contributed to potential structural vulnerabilities. An investigation into the cause of the collapse is currently underway ABC News4.
Government and International Response
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader expressed his deep regret over the incident: "We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts." The president has declared three days of national mourning in response to the disaster BBC News1.
Meanwhile, the baseball community has rallied in support of those affected. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement expressing profound sadness: "Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night's tragedy in Santo Domingo" ESPN3.
MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark added that the union stands united with the Dominican community "amid the incomprehensible sadness." The New York Mets held a moment of silence for Dotel before their Tuesday game, honoring the former pitcher who began his career with the team ESPN3.
Community Impact
The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub, a popular venue in Santo Domingo, has left the local community reeling. Hundreds of relatives have been holding vigils at the scene, desperately awaiting news of their loved ones. The sheer scale of the tragedy – with the death toll exceeding 120 and injuries surpassing 150 – has cast a pall over the entire nation BBC News1.
The incident has particularly affected the Dominican baseball community, which has long been a cornerstone of the country's cultural identity and has produced numerous MLB stars. The deaths of Dotel and Blanco have resonated deeply both locally and throughout the international baseball world.
Conclusion
As rescue operations continue and investigations begin into the cause of this devastating collapse, the Dominican Republic faces the difficult task of mourning the loss of so many lives while supporting the survivors and families affected by the tragedy. The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub will likely lead to renewed scrutiny of building safety standards and emergency protocols for public venues throughout the country.
The stories of heroism amid chaos – like Tony Blanco's selfless act of saving his friend at the cost of his own life – provide small moments of light in an otherwise dark chapter for the Dominican Republic. As the nation observes its three days of official mourning, the international community continues to offer its support and condolences to all those impacted by this catastrophic event.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the people of the Dominican Republic during this difficult time.
