Dozens dead after roof collapses at Dominican Republic nightclub

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, authorities said.

Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-storey Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

"We continue clearing debris and searching for people," he said on Tuesday night. "We're going to search tirelessly for people."

Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed down onto patrons, rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from the debris, shushing those around them so they could listen for faint cries for help. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and sawed planks of wood to use them to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air.

WATCH | The search for survivors:

Rescuers search for survivors in deadly Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

10 hours ago

Duration 1:00

Dozens of people are dead after a roof collapsed at a Dominican Republic nightclub during a concert early Tuesday, according to officials. Rescuers continue to search for victims in the rubble, with crews still pulling out survivors nearly 12 hours after the collapse.

Méndez said rescue crews were prioritizing three areas in the club: "We're hearing some sounds."

The U.S. broadcaster ABC News reported that Méndez put the death toll at being at least 79, during a Tuesday evening press briefing.

'This is too great a tragedy'

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among the victims. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m. local time saying she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, First Lady Raquel Abraje told reporters. Officials said Cruz died later at the hospital.

"This is too great a tragedy," Abraje said in a broken voice.

The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel had also died. Officials had earlier rescued him from the debris and transported him to a hospital.

Dotel, 51, had played for a number of different teams, including the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals.

His brief stint with the Jays came in 2011, a season that he finished with the St. Louis Cardinals with which he ended up winning a World Series title. (He also pitched in Game 7 of that same championship series.)

Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, said league spokesperson Satosky Terrero.

Late Tuesday night, those still looking for their family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns.

Officials said at least 160 people were injured, among them national lawmaker Bray Vargas.

Group's saxophonist also killed, says manager

Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said that he had been rescued, but Méndez said later Tuesday that wasn't true. He said rescue crews were still looking for Pérez.

The singer'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 almost an hour later, killing the group's saxophonist.

"It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner," Paulino 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 inspected.

The club issued a statement saying it was co-operating with authorities and noted that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the country and returned late Tuesday.

Global Affairs Canada said in an email that it is aware of the roof collapse and is "closely monitoring the situation."

"We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. To date, we have no reports of any Canadian citizens involved in this incident."

Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but did not return home, was among those anxiously waiting outside the club known for its traditional parties held on Monday, where renowned national and international artists perform.

"We're holding on only to God," Ortiz said.

Also awaiting word was Massiel Cuevas, godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista.

"I'm waiting for her. She's in there, I know she's in there," Cuevas said, firm in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive.

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 nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since 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 even more people alive," he told reporters.

An official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space.

"You have to co-operate with authorities, please," he said. "We are removing people."

At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside, reading aloud the names of survivors, as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones.