Early in the morning on Tuesday, April 8, tragedy struck a nightclub in the Dominican Republic when the roof caved in unexpectedly. Initial death toll numbers were in the dozens on Tuesday, but by Wednesday, that number had increased exponentially. The cause of the disaster is still unknown as rescuers continue to try and uncover any possible survivors from the rubble. Among the victims are Nelsy Cruz, the current governor of Montecristi in the Dominican Republic, and Octavio Dotel, a former major league pitcher.
New Death Toll Reported As Victims Continue to be Found
The tragedy occurred early Tuesday morning when the roof collapsed at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic. While merengue performer Rubby Perez was singing, the roof of the nightclub unexpectedly collapsed, trapping everyone inside under cement slabs and debris from the roofing. Crews have been working around the clock attempting to rescue any possible survivors. In the first reporting yesterday, the death toll for the disaster was at around 18, with over 100 additional injuries. Unfortunately, that number has drastically climbed.
On Tuesday, Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó responded to the tragedy on her X account, posting, “Our city wakes up to a tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.” Rescue workers and resources have been committed to finding any survivors who are still trapped.
As of Wednesday morning’s reporting, at least 124 people have been discovered dead, with the death toll continuing to rise. An additional 155 people have been transferred by ambulance to local hospitals. At the time of the incident, hundreds of calls flooded police emergency lines, including clubgoers calling from underneath the concrete rubble, attempting to get help.
Among the Victims Were Famous Individuals
Jet Set nightclub is a popular Dominican club where many celebrities, politicians, and athletes attend performances. In attendance on Tuesday were two former major league baseball players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Dotel is especially well known, having established himself as one of the premier bullpen pitchers of his era. Dotel’s agent, Dan Horwits, responded to the tragedy. “His energy, positivity, and zest for life were infectious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. We pass along our thoughts and prayers to his entire family as well as everyone affected by the tragedy.”
Among the death toll numbers are performer Rubby Perez, governor Nelsy Cruz, and Massachusetts restaurant owner Fray Luis Rosario. Former all-star pitcher Pedro Martinez was also at the club that night and is still attempting to find family members who were with him.
The club released a full statement, which reads, “There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened has been devastating for everyone. We want you to know that we are with you and that we share your anguish. As the Jet Set family, we are with you. To you, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and loved ones of those affected: you can count on us.”
For family members of anyone in attendance that night, they are still awaiting word of what happened and if their loved one is alive. Hospital scenes are chaotic as families try to contact missing loved ones. Officials continue to do their best to release information as soon as possible, but rescue and search efforts are ongoing, and many more bodies are being identified after being pulled from the debris.
As the investigation and rescue efforts continue, more information about the cause of the tragic accident should be revealed, as well as the final death toll numbers. Videos have been provided to police showing the tragedy as it unfolded. As information and numbers continue to be released, reports and death toll counts will be updated.
