The recovery effort has concluded following the collapse of a nightclub roof in the Dominican Republic that killed at least 221 people during a concert, officials announced Thursday.
The incident, which occurred early Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, also left 155 people injured, according to the country’s Emergency Operations Center. Authorities confirmed that 189 people were rescued alive, and no one remains trapped after thorough search operations, the center’s deputy director said on-site.
Forensic teams have been deployed to identify the deceased using advanced biometric tools. The collapse happened abruptly at 12:34 a.m. during a performance by famed Dominican merengue artist Rubby Pérez, police said. The roof gave way within seconds.
President Luis Abinader expressed his sorrow on social media, stating that emergency services responded immediately and continued to work tirelessly. Among the victims was 69-year-old Pérez, whose passing was confirmed by police. A tribute on his Instagram page honored his lasting musical legacy.
The tragedy has deeply affected the baseball community, with former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, among the dead. Dotel was rescued from the rubble but died en route to the hospital, officials said. He played for 13 teams over his MLB career, including the Mets, who honored him with a moment of silence. Another ex-MLB player, Tony Blanco, 44, also lost his life. Blanco played for the Washington Nationals and had a successful career in Japan and the Dominican Republic.
Montecristi Governor Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, was also killed. Her family remembered her dedication to service and compassion. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez both expressed condolences, with Martinez revealing he still has missing family members.
Prominent Dominican fashion designer Martin Polanco, known for dressing stars like Daddy Yankee and Sergio Vargas, was also confirmed dead. At least nine U.S. citizens were among those killed, with more possibly affected, according to the U.S. State Department, which offered support to victims’ families.
As grieving families gathered at the collapse site, prosecutors announced they are now entering the expert assessment phase to determine the cause. Officials noted that the nightclub had sustained fire damage in 2023, which may be relevant to the investigation.
