SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — April 8, 2025
A tragic roof collapse at one of the Dominican Republic’s most iconic nightclubs has left at least 44 people dead, over 160 injured, and dozens still feared trapped under the rubble. The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time Tuesday during a live performance at Jet Set, a well-known venue in the capital city of Santo Domingo.
Authorities say more than 300 people were in the club at the time of the collapse, and search and rescue operations are ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon. Rescue crews are racing against time to reach nearly 100 individuals who remain unaccounted for under the debris.
Among the dead is Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martínez, the governor of Monte Cristi province. Cruz was attending the concert as a guest and was related to former Major League Baseball star Nelson Cruz, according to CNN.
Also killed was the saxophone player for merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who was performing on stage when the roof gave way. Pérez himself was injured in the incident and was taken to Plaza de la Salud Hospital for treatment. His daughter, Zulinlka Pérez, told local media that her father had continued singing under the rubble so rescuers could find him — a habit he’d long promised to keep if ever trapped during a performance.
Videos from the event show Pérez and his orchestra performing when pendant lights began to sway, followed by crashing sounds as the entire roof collapsed. Screams and falling debris can be heard in the moments before the video abruptly cuts off.
Footage shared by local outlets later revealed a gaping hole in the roof directly above the audience area. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and officials say no foul play has been confirmed. This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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