The tranquil beat of merengue and spirited cheers were replaced by tragedy when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed early Tuesday, taking more than 100 lives and leaving scores injured. Among the confirmed deceased were former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, singer Rubby Perez, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Montecristi province, as per the NBC Chicago and CBS News reports.
Search and rescue operations persisted through the aftermath, with officials stating that at least 300 people were part of the effort, working relentlessly despite the possibility that survivors were presumed still alive under the debris, according to a statement by Center of Emergency Operations Director Juan Manuel Méndez quoted by CBS News. Méndez also mentioned that rescue crews were focusing on three areas within the club where "we're hearing some sounds."
Dotel, aged 51 and a 15-year MLB vet noted for the versatility of his 13-team career, perished in the incident. The former athlete was fondly remembered in a Major League Baseball statement as the league expressed being "shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic death" of Dotel. Founder of the notorious merengue beat that perished, Rubby Perez, was also claimed by the disaster while giving a performance. The news was confirmed by his manager, Enrique Paulino, who encountered the catastrophe firsthand. "It was sudden. I thought it was an earthquake, so I threw myself to the ground and covered my head," Paulino recounted, as per CBS News.
President Luis Abinader partook in the nation's collective sorrow, declaring three days of national mourning and mandating the national flag to be flown at half-mast, as reported by NBC Chicago. Abinader also visited the scene, offering embraces to those seeking news of friends and family. In a statement captured by CBS News, Abinader expressed the communal hope, stating, "We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive."
The cause of the calamity that unfolded during Perez's performance remains unclear. The Jet Set nightclub released a statement, asserting their full cooperation with the authorities "to help the victims and clarify what happened." The tragedy has, in their words, "deeply struck the hearts of all of us who are part of Jet Set and all Dominicans," with the club sharing the deep pain and dismay through this tragic moment, as mentioned by CBS News.
