A catastrophic roof collapse at the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, has left at least 98 people dead, with the toll expected to rise further, according to reports. Among the deceased are provincial governor Nelsy Cruz and former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Octavio Dotel, both of whom were confirmed victims of the tragedy.
In addition to the deaths, at least 160 others have been injured. Around 400 emergency responders are working tirelessly to locate any survivors beneath the rubble, as distraught families gather at the scene, desperately searching for their loved ones. Authorities have confirmed that the number of casualties is still preliminary, with the exact number of people inside the nightclub at the time of the collapse unclear.
“The preliminary death toll has risen to 98,” stated Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center.
The roof of the nightclub reportedly collapsed during a concert attended by a mixture of politicians, athletes, and other prominent figures. Estimates suggest that between 500 and 1,000 people were present at the venue when the disaster occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
Among the fatalities was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, who was confirmed dead by President Luis Abinader. Cruz is the sister of former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel also perished after being pulled from the rubble but passed away on his way to a local hospital. A spokesman for the Ministry of Sports expressed the nation’s sorrow, saying, “Peace to his soul.”
Dotel, who was 51, had a distinguished MLB career, debuting for the New York Mets in 1999 and playing for multiple teams, including the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox, before retiring in 2013. “Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic,” said Carlos Mendoza, manager of the New York Mets, reflecting on the loss to the Dominican community within the world of baseball.
The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League also expressed its condolences, saying, “Our deepest sorrow over the death of former pitcher Octavio Dotel.”
Approximately 150 individuals have been transported to local hospitals for treatment, with authorities continuing their efforts to rescue those still trapped under the debris.
The cause of the roof collapse is under investigation, with officials yet to confirm what led to the tragedy. Eyewitness Iris Pena, who attended the concert, recalled how she narrowly escaped with her son. “At one point, dirt started falling like dust into the drink on the table,” she told a Dominican TV station. “A stone fell and cracked the table where we were, and we got out.”
Her experience mirrored that of many others, with the impact described as being as severe as an earthquake or tsunami.
As the community waits for answers, dozens of family members have flooded local hospitals, anxiously awaiting news. “We are desperate,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was at the concert. “They are not giving us news; they are not telling us anything.”
The full scope of the disaster is still unfolding, as rescue teams continue their search, and the nation reels from this tragic loss.
Credit: Aljazeera
