A tragic roof collapse at Jet Set Venue in Santo Domingo left 18 people dead and over 120 injured during a live performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez. The incident occurred around 12:44 a.m. Tuesday, as the crowd enjoyed the show.
Among those reported missing is former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel. Pérez, known for his Billboard hits, was pulled from the rubble with serious injuries. His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, shared a harrowing account of escaping after her husband shielded her.
“He told me, ‘Get out so the child won’t be alone if this falls,’” she said. Emergency crews are still searching the wreckage, fearing more victims may be trapped. Supercanal, a local TV station, reported that paramedics administered IVs to some individuals stuck under debris. President Luis Abinader confirmed the death of Nelsy Cruz, Montecristi’s governor and sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz.
Eyewitness footage captured the panic moments before the collapse. A male guest pointed at the ceiling, warning, “Something fell from above.” Moments later, a woman screamed, “Dad, what happened to you?”
A separate video showed clubgoers staring at a lighting rig before the Jet Set venue roof gave way. Emergency Operations director Juan Manuel Méndez emphasized ongoing rescue efforts: “We won’t stop until every person is accounted for.”
The venue, which holds up to 1,000 people, remains sealed off as authorities continue recovery operations, according to the Daily Mail.
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