Family members of the victims grieve at the scene where the Jet Set nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 9, 2025. REUTERS
A terrible tragedy struck the Dominican Republic this week. The roof of a popular nightclub in the capital, Santo Domingo, collapsed during a crowded event. At least 184 people lost their lives, officials said on Wednesday. Emergency workers are still digging through the rubble, but hope of finding more survivors is fading.
The accident happened on Tuesday night at the Jet Set nightclub. Since then, families of the missing have been standing outside the wreckage. They are waiting for any news and showing photos of their loved ones to the police.
“We are not going to abandon nobody,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the country’s emergency operations center. His team has worked around the clock to look for survivors. But no one has been found alive in over 24 hours. Mendez said they will keep working until all the bodies are recovered.
Homero Figueroa, the president’s spokesperson, added that rescue efforts will soon shift to body recovery. Officials are preparing for the worst.
Some families still cling to hope. Alex de Leon came to the site searching for his ex-wife and a family friend. “I don’t have any news,” he said. He also shared that his 15-year-old son is heartbroken. The younger child, only 9, thinks their mom is just at work.
Other families held photos of their missing loved ones. They described what they were wearing, in case the rescue teams need help identifying bodies.
So far, emergency teams have rescued 155 people and rushed them to hospitals. But no one knows exactly how many people were inside the club when the roof collapsed.
What started as a joyful concert ended in heartbreak. The crowd had gathered to see popular singer Rubby Perez perform. Well-known guests, including athletes and political figures, were at the club. But shortly after midnight, the roof gave way.
Perez was among those killed. The Ministry of Culture announced a tribute in his honor. Officials called him one of the greatest artists in the country’s music scene.
Some families have already begun to bury their loved ones. One of the first funerals was for Nelsy Cruz, a local governor and the sister of former baseball star Nelson Cruz. President Luis Abinader attended her funeral and spoke about the pain the nation is feeling.
“We are left to mourn her and the other victims,” he said.
Several well-known sports figures were also killed. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and slugger Tony Blanco died in the collapse. The son of the country’s public works and communications minister also lost his life.
The country is in mourning as families continue to search for answers. The nightclub collapse has shaken the nation, turning a night of celebration into a day of sorrow.
