At least 27 people have died and more than 150 were injured when the roof of the popular Jet Set discotheque in Santo Domingo collapsed during a crowded concert early Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews continue searching through the rubble for potential survivors as the Dominican Republic mourns one of its deadliest structural failures in recent history.
The tragedy occurred during a performance by renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, whose band members and family were among those caught in the disaster.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaotic Scene
Disturbing mobile phone footage circulating on social media captures the terrifying moments before the collapse, with one attendee heard warning about falling debris from the ceiling just 30 seconds before the structure gave way.
The video shows Pérez abruptly stopping his performance to look upward before the recording cuts to darkness amid screams. One band member described initially mistaking the collapse for an earthquake, while the singer’s daughter confirmed her father was temporarily trapped in the wreckage before being rescued.
Massive Emergency Response Mobilized
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), reported deploying more than 400 search and rescue personnel to the scene, with ambulances making over 100 emergency trips to area hospitals.
The scale of the response highlights the severity of the incident at the Jet Set club, a well-known Santo Domingo venue that regularly hosts Monday night dance concerts. Méndez expressed cautious optimism that survivors might still be found in air pockets beneath the collapsed structure as operations continue through the night.
Investigation Launched Into Collapse Causes
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the catastrophic structural failure at the packed nightclub, which reportedly contained hundreds of patrons when the roof caved in around 1 a.m. local time.
Construction experts suggest possible factors including inadequate maintenance, faulty engineering, or extreme weather strain will be examined.
Meanwhile, President Luis Abinader has promised a full investigation while offering condolences to grieving families, as the nation grapples with questions about building safety standards for entertainment venues.
