SANTO DOMINGO, DR — A night meant to celebrate the vibrant rhythms of Dominican merengue turned into an unspeakable tragedy in the early hours of Sunday morning, when the roof of the iconic Jet Set Nightclub suddenly collapsed during a live performance by merengue legend Rubby Pérez. What began as a joyous gathering quickly became a chaotic scene of horror, with multiple lives lost, dozens injured, and many left in shock and disbelief.
The club, known for hosting some of the biggest names in Latin music, was filled to capacity as fans gathered to enjoy a night of dancing, music, and culture. Just before 1 a.m., as Pérez energized the crowd with his signature voice and charisma, a loud creak echoed from the ceiling — followed by an abrupt and catastrophic collapse of the roof structure directly over the dance floor and stage area.
Witnesses described a terrifying moment of confusion and panic as debris rained down, lights went out, and screams filled the air. Within seconds, what had been a night of celebration became a desperate struggle to escape the wreckage.
Emergency services responded quickly, with firefighters, police, and medical teams rushing to the scene to pull victims from the rubble and tend to the wounded. Despite their efforts, multiple fatalities were confirmed at the scene, and scores more were transported to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injury — some critical.
Among the chaos, it was initially reported that Rubby Pérez himself had been trapped beneath the debris, sparking fear and concern among fans and the music community. After an intense rescue effort, Pérez was located and successfully extracted. He is said to be in stable condition and receiving medical care. His management team released a brief statement thanking emergency responders and asking for prayers for those who did not survive.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed, as the investigation and recovery efforts are still ongoing. Authorities have begun working to identify the victims and notify their families, and forensic teams are examining the structural failure that caused the collapse.
Officials from the Dominican Civil Defense and Emergency Operations Center (COE) are leading the investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest potential structural fatigue and overcrowding may have contributed, though a full engineering assessment is pending. The nightclub has been temporarily closed and declared a restricted area until the investigation concludes.
President Luis Abinader expressed his condolences via social media, saying, “We are devastated by the tragic events at Jet Set. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will ensure a thorough investigation is conducted and proper support is given to those affected.”
The Jet Set nightclub, a cultural mainstay in Santo Domingo’s nightlife, has been a beloved venue for generations of music lovers. The loss of life in this tragic accident has cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a celebration of Dominican music heritage.
As the nation mourns, vigils are being planned across the country, and fans are flooding social media with tributes to the victims and calls for accountability. A memorial concert is also being discussed to honor the lives lost and support their families.
More details are expected in the coming days as officials continue to assess the situation. For now, the Dominican Republic grieves the lives lost in one of the most heartbreaking nightclub tragedies in recent memory.