Emergency responders continue their grim task in the Dominican Republic as the death toll from a nightclub disaster rises to 113, with over 150 others injured.
Tragedy Strikes as Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims Lives in Dominican Republic
Tragedy Strikes as Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims Lives in Dominican Republic
Search and rescue efforts are underway in Santo Domingo following a devastating nightclub roof collapse, resulting in multiple fatalities.
In the capital's popular Jet Set club, chaos erupted shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday when significant portions of the roof fell during a performance by renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez. Various estimates suggest that the number of attendees ranged between 500 to 1,000, many drawn to the venue for the night’s festivities. Among the confirmed victims are Pérez himself, former MLB player Octavio Dotel, and local governor Nelsy Cruz.
Disturbing mobile footage from inside the club prior to the collapse shows Pérez performing as attendees experienced the calamitous incident. An eyewitness's description captures the chilling moment just before tragedy struck when they remarked, "Something fell from the ceiling." Within seconds, screams filled the air, culminating in darkness as the room plunged into pandemonium.
As search efforts continued through the night, despair mounted among family members. The daughter of Rubby Pérez, Zulinka, was performing alongside him when disaster struck. Shielded by her husband from the debris, she remarkably managed to escape, but her father became trapped for hours amidst the wreckage. He reportedly attempted to signal for help by singing, remaining a hopeful voice until tragedy claimed his life.
Another victim, Nelsy Cruz, exemplified the dire situation as she utilized her phone to contact President Luis Abinader for immediate assistance while she lay injured. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital. In a heartbreaking parallel, Octavio Dotel was rescued but tragically died en route to medical aid.
Investigations into the cause of the roof's sudden failure are ongoing. The Jet Set club, which transitioned from a cinema to a vibrant concert venue, hosted a blend of attendees including athletes and public figures on that fateful night. In response to the calamity, President Abinader has announced three days of national mourning for the victims, drawing attention to the significant loss felt across the nation.
Disturbing mobile footage from inside the club prior to the collapse shows Pérez performing as attendees experienced the calamitous incident. An eyewitness's description captures the chilling moment just before tragedy struck when they remarked, "Something fell from the ceiling." Within seconds, screams filled the air, culminating in darkness as the room plunged into pandemonium.
As search efforts continued through the night, despair mounted among family members. The daughter of Rubby Pérez, Zulinka, was performing alongside him when disaster struck. Shielded by her husband from the debris, she remarkably managed to escape, but her father became trapped for hours amidst the wreckage. He reportedly attempted to signal for help by singing, remaining a hopeful voice until tragedy claimed his life.
Another victim, Nelsy Cruz, exemplified the dire situation as she utilized her phone to contact President Luis Abinader for immediate assistance while she lay injured. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital. In a heartbreaking parallel, Octavio Dotel was rescued but tragically died en route to medical aid.
Investigations into the cause of the roof's sudden failure are ongoing. The Jet Set club, which transitioned from a cinema to a vibrant concert venue, hosted a blend of attendees including athletes and public figures on that fateful night. In response to the calamity, President Abinader has announced three days of national mourning for the victims, drawing attention to the significant loss felt across the nation.
