At least 98 people are confirmed dead after a catastrophic roof collapse at the renowned Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday morning
The number of fatalities is expected to rise as emergency responders continue to sift through the rubble in search of survivors.
Among those lost in the disaster are prominent figures, including provincial governor Nelsy Cruz and former Major League Baseball, MLB, pitcher Octavio Dotel, who were identified as victims of the collapse.
The tragic incident took place during a concert attended by a mix of public officials, athletes, and other well-known personalities. Reports suggest that between 500 and 1,000 people were at the nightclub when the roof gave way.
At least 160 others have sustained injuries, some of them severe, and are currently receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals. Rescue teams, consisting of nearly 400 personnel, have been working around the clock to recover victims and ensure that no one remains trapped beneath the debris.
Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center, provided an update on the unfolding situation, confirming the rising death toll.
“The preliminary death toll has risen to 98,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing efforts to account for every individual who may have been inside the venue at the time of the collapse. The exact number of people present at the nightclub remains uncertain.
Among those who tragically lost their lives was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province. President Luis Abinader confirmed Cruz’s death, offering his condolences to the bereaved family. Nelsy Cruz, who is the sister of former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was one of the key figures present at the event.
Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who had a distinguished career in professional baseball, was also confirmed dead. He was pulled from the rubble alive but succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Dotel, 51, made his MLB debut in 1999 with the New York Mets and went on to play for several teams, including the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox. He retired from professional baseball in 2013.
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His death has sent shockwaves through the baseball community, particularly in his home country of the Dominican Republic. Carlos Mendoza, the manager of the New York Mets, expressed his sorrow, saying, “Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic,” as fans and colleagues mourned the loss.
The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League also offered its condolences, extending its heartfelt sympathy to Dotel’s family. “Our deepest sorrow over the death of former pitcher Octavio Dotel,” the league stated, reflecting the widespread sense of loss felt within the sports world.
In addition to those confirmed dead, approximately 150 people have been transported to local hospitals for treatment. Medical professionals continue to care for the injured, some of whom remain in critical condition.
As rescue teams continue their work, authorities remain focused on recovering any additional survivors and providing aid to the injured.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the disaster. Iris Pena, a concert attendee who narrowly escaped the collapse with her son, shared her experience of the terrifying moment.
“At one point, dirt started falling like dust into the drink on the table,” Pena recalled. “A stone fell and cracked the table where we were, and we got out.” Many others shared similar stories, describing the collapse as a sudden and violent event that felt akin to an earthquake or tsunami.
As the days unfold, families of those unaccounted for have gathered at local hospitals, anxiously awaiting news. “We are desperate,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was at the concert.
“They are not giving us news; they are not telling us anything.” The search for survivors continues, and the community waits for answers, hoping for a resolution to the devastation that has shaken the nation.
The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Authorities have yet to determine what led to the failure of the nightclub’s roof, though engineers and experts are working diligently to uncover the truth behind the tragic event.
Reported by Phoenix Browser
