At Least 79 Dead in Roof Collaps at Dominican Republic Nightclub – ryan

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (AP) – The Roof of an iconic Nightclub in the Dominican Capital Collapsed Early Tuesday During a merengue Concert Attended by Politicians, Athletes and Others, Leaving at Least 79 People Dead and 160 Injured, Said Authorities.

Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-story jet Set Nightclub in Santo Domingo, Said Juan Manuel Méndez, Director of the Center of Emergency Operations.

“We Continue Clearing Debr and Searching for People,” he Said on Tuesday Night. “We’re Going to Search Tirelessly for People.”

Rescue Workers Carry A Person Pulled from the Wreckage of the Jet NightClub AFTER it Roof Collaps During A Merengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

Nearly 12 hours after the top of the Nightclub Collapsed onto Patrons, Rescue Crews Were Still Out Survivors from Under the Debr. Firefighters Removed Blocks of Broken Concrete and Used Sawed Pieces of Wood As Planks to Lift Heavy Debr as the Noise of Drills Breaking Through Filled the Air.

Méndez Said Rescue Crews Were Prioritizing Three Areas in the Club: “We’re Hearing some sounds.”

Nelsy Cruz, The Governor of the Northwestern Province of Montecristi and Sister of Seven Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruzwas Among the Vicims. She had had Called president Luis Abinader AT 12:49 am, Saying She was trapped and that the Roof Had Collaps, First Lady Raquel Abraje Told Reporters. Officials Said Cruz died late at the hospital.

Rescue Workers Search for Survivors at the Jet Set Nightclub AFTER it Roof Collapsed During A Merengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

“This is too a tragedy,” Abraje Said, Her Voice Breaking.

The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic Posted on x that forms Mlb Pitcher Octavio Dottel, 51, Also Died. Officials Had Pulled Dottel from the Debris Earlier and Brought Him to A Hospital. Also Killed Was Dominican Baseball Player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, Said League Spokesman Satosky Terro.

Officials Said at Least 160 People were Injured, Among The National Lawmaker Bray Vargas.

Relatives of the merengue singer rubby pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said that he had been rescued, but more late tuesday that wasn’t true. He Said Rescue Crews Were Still Looking for Pérez.

Pérez’s Manager, Enrique Paulino, Whose Shirt was spattered with Blood, Told Reporters at the scene that the Concert Began Shortly before Midnight, with the Roof Collapsing an Hour Later, Killing the Group’s Saxophonist.

A Woman Stands Outside the Jet Set Nightclub after it Roof Collaps During A Melengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

“It Happened so quickly. I managed to kill myself into a corner,” he said, adding that he initially thought it was an Earthquake.

It wasn’t immediately Clear what caused the roof to collapse or when the jet set building was last inspect.

The Club Issued a Statement Saying it was cooperating with autorities and notd that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the Country and Returned Late Tuesday.

“There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened haen devastating for everyone,” he said.

A Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Publics Reference Questions to the Mayor’s Office. A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office Did Not Respond to a Message for Comment.

Relatives CRY while waiting for News of Loved Outside the Jet NightClub AFTER it Roof Collaps During A Merengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos Told TV Station CDN that while “Everyone wants to know” What happened, autorities were still focused on finding survivors. They Set up a makeshift morgue near the club while more than 120 People linen up to donate blood at two different centers.

Manuel Olivo Ortiz, Whose Son Attended the Concert but did not return home, was Among those anxiously waiting the Club Known for Its Traditional Parties Where renown on National and International Artists Performed.

“We’re Holding only to God,” Olivo Said.

ALSO AWAING WORD WAS MESSIEL CUEVAS, Godmother of 22-Yaar-Old Darlenys Batista.

“I’m waiting for her. She’s in there, of knowing she’s in there,” Cuevas Said, firm in her belief that batista would be played out Alive.

A SOLDIER HYDERES while rescue workers search for survivors at the jet Nightclub AFTER it Roof Collaps During A Melengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

President Abinader Wrote on x that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the jet set of Nightclub. We have been follow the incident minute by minute it occurred,” he wrote.

Abinader Arrived at the Scene and Hugged Those Looking for Friends and Family, Some With Tears Streaming Down Their Faces. “We have faith in God that we will rescue more People Alive,” he torters.

Rescue Workers Search for Survivors at the Jet Set Nightclub AFTER it Roof Collapsed During A Merengue Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Eddy Vittini)

An Official with a megaphone stood outside the Club implication the Large Crowd that has gathered to search for Friends and Relatives to Give Ambulances Space.

“You have to cooperate with autorities, please,” he said. “We are Removing People.”

At one hospital where the injured were worn, an officer stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a Crowd gathered arund and yelhed out of their loves.

Meanwhile, Doses of People Gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which Shared Pictures of the Victims so their Loves Could Identify.

A Police Office Reacts During the Search for Survivors at the Jet Nightclub AFTER it Roof Collaps During a Concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)

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Coto Reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.