Quick Hit:

The roof of Santo Domingo’s famed Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a packed merengue concert, killing at least 184 and injuring more than 200. Among the victims were political leaders, musicians, athletes, and other prominent figures.

Key Details:

• Jet Set nightclub's roof collapsed about an hour into a live performance by merengue singer Rubby Pérez.
• The death toll stands at 184 with over 200 injured; rescue operations ended Wednesday night.
• Victims include former MLB stars, a U.N. official, a fashion designer, and a prominent Dominican bank president.

Diving Deeper:

A night of celebration turned to tragedy in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday when the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live concert. At least 184 people were confirmed dead and more than 200 others injured in one of the deadliest structural disasters in the Caribbean nation’s recent memory.

The collapse occurred nearly an hour after the merengue performance by famed singer Rubby Pérez began. Cell phone video circulating online captured the chilling moments as sections of the roof began to fall, followed by a sudden and catastrophic cave-in that buried attendees in concrete and debris.

Jet Set, long considered a cultural staple known for its “Jet Set Mondays,” drew a crowd of celebrities, politicians, and everyday Dominicans alike. This week’s concert had drawn hundreds, with general admission tickets priced at $32 and VIP seats at $40.

Among those killed was Pérez himself, whose body was recovered early Wednesday. His manager confirmed the death of the group’s saxophonist as well. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera also perished, according to the Dominican Baseball League. High-profile victims included New York fashion designer Martín Polanco, a retired United Nations official, and the president of AFP Popular Bank along with his wife.

One of the most harrowing moments came from Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Trapped under rubble, she phoned President Luis Abinader before succumbing to her injuries later at the hospital, First Lady Raquel Abraje confirmed.

The nightclub, which first opened in 1973 and was relocated years later, underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015. It was reportedly struck by lightning in 2023, though it remains unclear if that incident played any role in Tuesday’s collapse.

Officials said it's too soon to determine the cause of the structural failure. Rescue crews worked through Wednesday removing debris and searching for survivors before transitioning into a recovery phase by evening. Questions remain about the last time Jet Set was inspected, and there has been no clear response from either the Ministry of Public Works or the mayor’s office.

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