The death toll from the roof collapse at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic has climbed to more than 113 people. According to the Associated Press, the iconic venue was packed with “musicians, professional athletes and government officials,” when dust from the ceiling began to fall into attendees’ drinks before the entire roof collapsed.
In addition to the scores of dead buried under concrete slabs, authorities said more than 255 were injured. Merengue superstar and concert headliner Rubby Pérez — who was on stage performing when the ceiling collapsed — was among the dead, according to emergency operation director Juan Manuel Méndez, who said the 69-year-old singer’s body was found early Wednesday morning (April 9). The collapse happened roughly an hour into Pérez’s midnight performance.
Pérez’s official Instagram posted a tribute to the late singer on Wednesday morning honoring the beloved star born Arturo Pérez in Hato Mayor. “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Rubby Pérez. We sincerely appreciate all the love, support, and solidarity we have received from his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. His musical and personal legacy will live forever in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.”
As of press time rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel had arrived to help local authorities, who said they were still searching for any potential survivors, with Méndez telling the AP that “as long as they report that there is a missing person, we will be there.”
Among the dead were two former Major League Baseball players, pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican star Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. An Instagram tribute to seven-time MLB All-Star Dotel from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation read: “We deeply regret the passing of former Major Leagues and Immortal of Dominican Sport, Octavio Dotel, 51. His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on national baseball history. Peace to his soul and strength to his family and loved ones.” Dotel pitched for 13 teams during a 15-year MLB career, including a pennant-winning season in 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Ministry’s tribute to Blanco, 44 — who played in the outfield and as a first and third baseman, spending eight years in the minors, as well as one season with the Washington Nationals (2005) and 16 years in the Japanese baseball league — read, “We deeply regret the passing of former Major Leagues and Immortal of Dominican Sport, Octavio Dotel. His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on national baseball history. Peace to his soul and strength to his family and loved ones.”
Among the other reported victims were Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, who called DR President Luis Abinader from underneath the rubble to alert him of the disaster and later died at a hospital. The AP reported that Pérez’s saxophonist Luis Solís, who was on stage during the collapse, also died.
The Jet Set club issued a statement on Tuesday morning, sharing condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the roof collapse. “Last night, a tragedy struck that has deeply shaken the hearts of everyone who is part of Jet Set and all Dominicans. The loss of human lives leaves us in a state of profound sorrow and grief,” the venue wrote on Instagram. “In this difficult moment, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own, as we too are in mourning. We are working fully and transparently with the competent authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened … We join the country in expressing solidarity during this unexpected and painful situation.”
At press time authorities were still investigating the cause of the roof collapse. Only 32 people have been identified in what is being described as one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic.
