A catastrophic ceiling collapse at a packed nightclub in Santo Domingo has claimed at least 13 lives and left over 90 injured, as rescue workers race against time to free survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Key Takeaways
- At least 13 people were killed and over 90 injured when the ceiling of the Jet Set Club nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live performance.
- The tragedy occurred when the roof collapsed with victims including a band saxophonist confirmed among the dead.
- A massive emergency response included 77 ambulances, 8 fire trucks, and approximately 200 National Police members working to rescue victims.
- Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader pledged full government support as eight hospitals were placed on red alert to treat the injured.
- Search and rescue operations continue as reports suggest survivors are still communicating from beneath the debris.
Nightclub Ceiling Collapse Triggers Massive Emergency Response
The Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo became the scene of a devastating tragedy when its ceiling collapsed during a packed concert. According to emergency officials, the collapse occurred when the venue was filled with concertgoers enjoying a live performance. The sudden structural failure sent debris crashing onto the crowd below, causing immediate casualties and triggering panic as people rushed to escape the collapsing structure.
Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the gravity of the situation as first responders arrived at the chaotic scene. The National Police immediately released footage documenting the recovery operation as rescuers worked to reach victims. Social media quickly filled with videos showing people fleeing from the dance floor in the moments after the collapse, while others worked desperately to help those trapped.
A tragic incident has occurred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed early in the morning.
The collapse took place during a performance by merengue singer Rubby Pérez, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries.
Reports… pic.twitter.com/yPSLOdC9Lj— The Business Times (@tbtimes_kenya) April 8, 2025
Government Mobilizes Full Emergency Resources
The Dominican Republic government mobilized an unprecedented emergency response to address the disaster. Officials deployed 77 ambulances, eight fire trucks, and 30 Civil Defense rescuers to the scene. Approximately 200 National Police members and 50 soldiers assisted in the complex rescue operations, working through the night to locate and extract survivors from the rubble. Eight hospitals across the region, including Cuban, Royal, Modern, and UCE medical centers, were placed on red alert to receive and treat the injured.
Journalist Anibelca Rosario reported that more than 125 people were transferred to various health centers following the collapse. The scale of the emergency response highlighted the severity of the disaster, with emergency operations chief Mendez reportedly working without rest since the incident began. The band’s saxophonist was confirmed among the fatalities, while the condition of singer Rubby Perez, who was performing at the time, remains unknown.
President Abinader Pledges Support as Families Wait for News
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader quickly addressed the nation regarding the tragedy, expressing his condolences and assuring citizens that the government was fully engaged in rescue efforts. Family members and friends gathered outside the nightclub in desperate hope of news about their loved ones, with many unable to reach those who had attended the concert. The scene outside the venue became increasingly emotional as the hours passed with limited information reaching those waiting.
Emergency operations continue as rescuers report that some survivors trapped beneath the debris have been communicating with rescue workers. Juan Manuel Méndez emphasized the extraordinary scale of the emergency response, saying, “More than 56 ambulances, each carrying up to three patients, have been dispatched to different hospitals. This is a very important situation.” The tragedy follows a recent similar incident in North Macedonia where a nightclub fire resulted in multiple casualties, raising concerns about public venue safety standards.
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Nightclub horror leaves 18 dead and 120 injured as roof collapses in on dance floor
Dominican Republic nightclub collapse kills at least 13 as roof plunges onto packed dancefloor
