A Santo Domingo nightclub turned into a disaster zone early Tuesday when its ceiling collapsed. The tragedy with the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic killed at least 44 people and injured over 120. Many remain missing after the sudden collapse during a merengue concert.
Former Major League Baseball star Octavio Dotel has died after a nightclub ceiling collapsed on him and spent his final moments screaming for help. Reported dead was also Tony Blanco, who played briefly for the Washington Nationals.
The disaster struck at 12:44 AM as Rubby Pérez performed for a packed crowd. Videos show the terrifying moment when ceiling chunks crushed dancers and band members. Screams filled the air as dust and debris covered the dance floor.
Former MLB Player Trapped in Wreckage
Rescuers confirmed frist that Dotel has survived the collapse but remained trapped. The pitcher helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the 2011 World Series. Workers continue efforts to free him from the rubble.
Singer Rubby Pérez escaped with injuries after being pulled from the wreckage. His daughter Zulinka described the chaos: “My husband told me to get out first for our child’s sake. I crawled through the debris to safety.”
Nightclub in the Dominican Republic: High-Profile Victim Identified
Officials also confirmed Nelsy Cruz died in the collapse. She served as governor of Montecristi province and was sister to former MLB player Nelson Cruz. Rescue teams keep searching for more victims in the unstable ruins.
Emergency director Juan Manuel Mendez vowed: “We’ll keep working until we find everyone.” President Luis Abinader visited the site and promised full government support for rescue operations.
Witnesses Describe Horror
Partygoers heard cracking sounds before the ceiling fell. One attendee filmed the moments before disaster, shouting “Something’s falling!” as others screamed. Another video shows the dance floor vanishing under collapsing debris.
The 1973-built venue had previous safety problems. Lightning caused an electrical fire there last July, forcing a temporary closure. About 700 people filled the 1,000-capacity club when tragedy struck.
Investigation Underway
Authorities will examine whether poor maintenance caused the collapse. Workers set up triage areas to treat the injured, many needing IV fluids after hours trapped in rubble.
The government declared three days of mourning as families await news about missing loved ones. The death toll may still rise in one of the country’s worst nightclub disasters.
This story continues to develop as rescue efforts and the investigation progress.
