At least 27 people have died after a catastrophic nightclub collapse in Santo Domingo during a live musical performance.
A nightclub collapse during a live performance at the Jet Set venue in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has left 27 dead and over 120 injured
The collapse occurred early Tuesday during a performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez.
Nightclub collapse strikes mid-performance as ceiling crashes on live crowd
The incident began shortly after midnight as a section of the club’s ceiling gave way while Pérez and his band played on stage. The club, popular for its Monday night parties, was packed with more than 1,000 guests when structural failure turned the music-filled evening into a rescue operation.
Footage captured moments before the collapse showed one guest pointing toward the ceiling, indicating concern about a possible fault.
Seconds later, heavy lighting equipment and portions of the roof came crashing down, trapping dozens beneath the rubble. Screams and shouts filled the venue as the crowd scrambled for safety.
121 injured as rescue efforts intensify overnight following the incident
Pérez was pulled from the debris with visible injuries. His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, described escaping with her husband just before the ceiling collapsed over them.
“He told me, ‘Babe, get out so the child won’t be alone if this falls.’ I crawled out,” she told reporters near the scene.
Among those missing is Octavio Dotel, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
He had been attending the event and was last seen minutes before the collapse. Emergency crews believe he is still under the debris and are working to locate survivors.
Paramedics on-site administered IVs to individuals who remained trapped but conscious. Nearby hospitals have received a surge of patients, while search teams continue to work through the remains of the venue.
President Luis Abinader confirmed that among those killed in the nightclub collapse was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of retired MLB player Nelson Cruz.
According to the First Lady, Cruz had managed to call the president at 12:49 a.m. from beneath the rubble, alerting him that she was trapped.
Emergency response teams mobilized rapidly, focusing efforts on reaching those believed to be alive beneath the debris. “We won’t stop until no one is left under the rubble,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the country’s Emergency Operations Center.
Jet Set nightclub is a well-known venue in Santo Domingo’s nightlife scene and had recently hosted several high-profile musical acts. Investigations are now underway into possible building code violations and structural negligence. Local engineers and inspectors have been deployed to examine the integrity of the remaining structure.
Rescue images from the site show crumpled beams, scattered instruments, and collapsed lighting systems. Rubble from the ceiling lies across dance floors where guests had been moments earlier.
Emergency workers, aided by sniffer dogs and cranes, are navigating the wreckage in shifts.
Outside medical centers, families of those still unaccounted for have gathered in growing numbers. Some arrived with photographs in hand, hoping to receive news about missing relatives. One woman, whose brother attended the performance, said, “We don’t know anything yet. They told us to wait.”
The venue’s structural records and permits are being reviewed. No official cause has been announced, although local engineers suspect foundational weakness or water damage may have compromised ceiling supports.
Pérez, still recovering in hospital, has not released a statement. His condition is said to be stable but serious. He was midway through his set when the ceiling collapsed. His band members are among those receiving medical attention.
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Crews continue to work under floodlights to ensure recovery efforts are maintained overnight. Heavy equipment is being used to lift large sections of debris in search of survivors, as the area surrounding the nightclub remains cordoned off to the public.
