SANTO DOMINGO — In the wake of the devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, on April 8, 2025, which claimed 226 lives and injured 189 others, President Luis Abinader declared a six-day period of national mourning. The collapse occurred during a live performance by merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who was among the victims. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation.
The tragedy triggered an outpouring of condolences from around the world. Government officials, celebrities, and international leaders expressed their support for the Dominican Republic as it confronts one of the deadliest non-natural disasters in its history.
A Night of Music Turns Deadly
Between 500 and 1,000 people were reportedly attending Pérez’s concert when the roof of Jet Set nightclub collapsed. Footage from the event captured a concertgoer pointing toward the ceiling shortly before a loud crash, as part of the roof gave way around 12:44 a.m. local time. Witnesses described the collapse as sudden, occurring approximately one hour into the performance.
Emergency Crews Race Against Time
Emergency response efforts following the Jet Set collapse were swift and extensive, involving 400 responders and 22 state agencies. Rescue teams pulled initial survivors from the rubble in the hours following the accident. Rubby Pérez reportedly sang to alert rescuers to his location before his daughter later confirmed his death. By the afternoon of April 9, crews found no additional survivors and shifted the operation’s focus to recovery. Emergency services recorded at least 138 ambulance transfers and 155 hospital trips, with injuries affecting more than 150 individuals.
President Abinader visited the disaster site and assured full governmental support. International rescue teams also arrived to assist. Mayor Carolina Mejía activated the city’s disaster response committee and coordinated funeral services, including the donation of 170 coffins. She also confirmed that the Jet Set nightclub’s management is cooperating fully with authorities.
Celebrities and Foreign Nationals Among the Victims
The 226 victims of the nightclub collapse included nationals from the Dominican Republic, the United States, Venezuela, France, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Kenya. In addition to Rubby Pérez, authorities confirmed the deaths of several other prominent figures, including Nelsy Cruz, Governor of Monte Cristi Province; renowned fashion designer Martín Polanco; and baseball player Tony Blanco, who died saving his former teammate Esteban Germán. Venezuelan news anchor Elianta Quintero sustained injuries in the incident.
Santo Domingo Grieves as Investigation Begins
Following the disaster, the streets of Santo Domingo fell unusually quiet. Diario Libre reported a somber atmosphere across the capital. The Dominican Senate suspended all legislative activities out of respect, and President Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje attended a memorial service for Rubby Pérez at the Eduardo Brito National Theater.
President Abinader initially declared a three-day mourning period, later extending it to six. Dominican Social Policy Cabinet coordinator Tony Peña Guaba called the Jet Set nightclub collapse the worst non-atmospheric disaster in the country’s history. In response, the government formed a commission of national and international experts to investigate the tragedy.
