Death toll nears 184 after nightclub roof collapse in Dominican Republic

A terrible tragedy happened in the Dominican Republic when the roof of a famous nightclub called Jet Set collapsed. This happened in the capital city, Santo Domingo, on April 9, 2025. By late Wednesday, officials confirmed that 184 people had died and more than 200 were injured. Many others are still missing.

People stood outside the forensic office, waiting for news about their family and friends. Some were crying, others were shouting. Many said they could not wait anymore as the smell around the collapsed building was getting worse.

Earlier in the day, the National Institute of Forensic Pathology read out the names of 54 people who had been identified. Families were desperate to hear about their loved ones. One woman shouted, “We will go crazy!” after not hearing her relative’s name.

Search for survivors

Emergency workers continued to search through the rubble for anyone alive. Juan Manuel Méndez, the head of the country’s emergency operations center, said that they would not stop the search. “We won’t abandon anyone. Our work will continue,” he said.

However, no one had been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. The rescue workers were using heavy machines and also calling in experts from other countries to help. Teams from Puerto Rico and Israel arrived to help with the rescue operation.

The nightclub was crowded when the accident happened. Famous people like musicians, athletes, and government workers were attending a merengue music concert. Suddenly, dust started falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks. Then, in just minutes, the roof collapsed.

Large pieces of concrete fell on the crowd. Many were killed immediately. Others got trapped under the rubble. Around 100 emergency calls were made to the 911 helpline, some from people buried under the concrete.

Among the dead was Rubby Pérez, a famous merengue singer. He had been performing on stage when the collapse happened. His body was found on Wednesday morning.

The process of identifying the bodies was slow and painful. By Wednesday morning, 54 people had been identified. Many families still did not know what had happened to their loved ones. Officials said that at least 33 bodies had not been identified yet.

A man named José Sánchez cried out, saying, “The authorities are selling us false dreams!” His brother and brother-in-law were still missing. Another woman said she had been to many hospitals but could not find her friend.

Health Minister Dr. Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam said a special team would help the families with psychological support. Many people were in shock and extreme sadness after losing loved ones.

More than 20 injured people were still in hospitals by Wednesday. At least eight were in very serious condition. Some had broken bones in the head, leg, and hip. Doctors said many had internal bleeding and had been stuck under rubble for hours.

Dr. Julio Landrón, head of a trauma hospital, said that some patients were young, which gave them a better chance to survive. But he also warned that none were safe yet. “They have very serious injuries,” he said.

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Stories of the victims

Many of the people who died were well-known. The list of victims includes:

• A famous heart doctor

• A government architect

• A retired UN worker

• A retired police officer

• The son and daughter-in-law of the Public Works Minister

• The brother of the Youth Ministry’s Vice Minister

• Former baseball star Octavio Dotel

• Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera

Even more heartbreaking, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and sister of baseball star Nelson Cruz, called the President from under the rubble. Sadly, she later died in the hospital.

Other victims included:

• A saxophone player who was performing

• A fashion designer from New York

• Several Venezuelan bartenders

• An Army captain with four young daughters

• The president of a bank and his wife

• A man who lost his wife and son along with three other family members

Dozens of bodies are still not identified, and the pain continues for many families.

People went from one hospital to another, carrying photos and asking about their missing loved ones. Outside the forensic center, officials read out names, and families listened closely.

When one name was called, someone in the crowd shouted, “Here! Here!” One woman, Virginia Rosario, cried over her sister’s death. “She was beautiful, kind, and precious,” she said.

Another woman, Kimberly Jones, said her godson and his friends went to the Jet Set nightclub every Monday. They are now missing, and she fears the worst.

The cause of the roof collapse is still unknown. The Jet Set building was very old but popular. No one knows when it was last inspected. The club’s owners said they are working with the authorities and trying to find out what went wrong.

The Ministry of Public Works did not give any answers. When reporters asked them questions, they passed them to the mayor’s office. But the mayor’s office did not respond either.

Acts of kindness

Even in this dark time, some people showed great kindness. Santo Domingo’s mayor, Carolina Mejía, talked about people helping each other. One man gave coffee to those at the scene. Another man from Costa Rica was on vacation but joined the rescue team because he is part of a rescue group back home.

On Wednesday evening, the government said the rescue phase was almost over. Now, the work will focus on recovery – finding bodies and helping families.

It is one of the worst disasters in the Dominican Republic’s history. The pain, confusion, and sadness have touched everyone. Many are angry that something like this could happen at such a well-known place.

As the country mourns, the search for answers and justice continues. Authorities promise to find the cause, but families want quick action. For now, they wait for the return of their loved ones and pray for those still in hospitals.

This shocking event has brought the entire Dominican Republic together in grief. With 184 lives lost, over 200 injured, and many questions unanswered, the country now looks for healing, justice, and change to make sure such a tragedy never happens again.