On Thursday (April 10), authorities in the Dominican Republic announced that a popular nightclub in the capital city collapsed during a concert, resulting in at least 221 deaths.
On Monday night (April 7), politicians, athletes, and other local celebrities gathered at a club called Jet Set in the capital city of Santo Domingo to attend a concert by Merengue singer Rubby Perez. Shortly after midnight, the roof suddenly collapsed, leading to a tragic scene. Perez, the singer, also lost his life in the crush.
On Tuesday, the emergency rescue teams managed to pull nearly 200 survivors out of the rubble. On Thursday morning, rescue workers used heavy machinery at the site to clear the debris. The director of the National Emergency Operations Center stated that “rescue workers have essentially completed a thorough clearing of the ground.”
President Luis Abinader attended Perez’s funeral on Thursday and was expected to participate in a public memorial service held later in the day.
The government announced on Wednesday night that once the cleanup and inspection work is completed, they will launch an investigation into the cause of the roof collapse.
This tragic incident has shaken the Dominican Republic, with many mourning the loss of lives and the beloved singer Rubby Perez. The aftermath of the collapse has highlighted the importance of building safety and emergency response protocols in the country’s entertainment venues. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.