A night of celebration turned into a national tragedy after the roof of a packed nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a major anniversary event.
The incident took place in the early hours of April 8 at Jet Set, a beloved nightclub in the capital city, where crowds had gathered to mark its 50th anniversary.
As of the morning of April 9, at least 113 people have been confirmed dead and 155 injured, according to reports from the Associated Press, NBC News, and CNN.
The list of victims includes notable names such as former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Montecristi province.
Footage taken from inside the venue shows the moment everything went dark — just after singer Rubby Pérez had taken the stage — before the roof gave way and chaos erupted.
Jet Set’s Instagram account had promoted the celebration just hours before the collapse, drawing in a crowd that included politicians, athletes, and celebrities. The building, now reduced to rubble, has become the center of a growing recovery effort that remains underway.
Search and rescue teams have been working nonstop since the collapse. Emergency Operations Center director Juan Manuel Méndez said on Tuesday afternoon, “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble.”
The next day, he confirmed that Pérez was among the deceased, after his body was recovered from the wreckage.
The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Officials say it's too early to determine what led to the structural failure. It’s also unclear when the venue was last inspected.
Families of those still missing have been gathering near the site, desperate for updates.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader addressed the country with a message on X, formerly Twitter.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families,” Abinader said.