Dominican Republic Mourns: Over 200 Victims Buried After Nightclub Disaster Shocks Nation.
On April 10, 2025, the Dominican Republic began the heart-wrenching task of burying over 200 victims of a catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, a tragedy that has left the nation in a state of profound grief. The disaster, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, claimed at least 221 lives during a concert by beloved merengue singer Rubby Pérez, turning a night of celebration into one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s recent history. As of today, the third day of national mourning declared by President Luis Abinader, families are laying their loved ones to rest while authorities scramble to identify bodies and investigate the cause of the collapse. The loss of cultural icons, politicians, and sports figures has amplified the collective sorrow, making this a pivotal moment for the Caribbean nation.
The Jet Set nightclub, a Santo Domingo institution for over 50 years, was a Monday night hotspot known for its “danceable Mondays,” drawing crowds of up to 1,000 for live music events. That fateful night, between 500 and 1,000 people—including prominent figures like Pérez, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Monte Cristi Governor Nelsy Cruz—filled the venue. At 12:44 a.m., the roof caved in, killing most victims instantly with head and chest trauma, as reported by Health Minister Victor Atallah. Rescue efforts, involving over 300 Dominican workers alongside teams from Israel and Puerto Rico, pulled 189 survivors from the rubble, but hope faded by Wednesday night, April 9, when operations shifted from rescue to recovery. The final death toll, confirmed Thursday, underscores the scale of this unprecedented tragedy.
The emotional toll on families has been staggering, compounded by the slow identification process. By April 10, only 146 of the 221 bodies had been identified, with forensic teams overwhelmed at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology. Relatives, clutching photos and holding vigils near the wreckage, faced agonizing waits—some, like Deysi Suriel, searching for her friend Milca Curiel, scoured hospitals in vain. Stories of heroism emerged, such as Nelsy Cruz calling President Abinader from the rubble to alert him before succumbing to her injuries, and Pérez’s daughter Zulinka escaping thanks to her husband’s sacrifice. These personal accounts, alongside the loss of figures like Pérez, honored with a tribute at the National Theater today, highlight the human cost of a disaster that struck at the heart of Dominican culture.
The cause of the collapse remains a mystery, fueling public outrage and calls for accountability. The Jet Set, built in 1973 and renovated in 2010 and 2015, had no clear record of recent safety inspections, raising questions about oversight in a country that welcomed over 11 million tourists in 2024. Owner Antonio Espaillat, who returned from abroad on Tuesday, expressed devastation and pledged cooperation with authorities, but many demand answers: Was it structural failure, overcrowding, or neglect? Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos emphasized that the priority remains recovery, but an in-depth investigation looms. The club’s Instagram boasted of its legacy, yet that history now carries the weight of a national reckoning over building safety and regulatory enforcement.
Beyond Santo Domingo, the tragedy reverberated globally. In New York and Lawrence, Massachusetts—home to large Dominican diaspora communities—vigils mourned victims like restaurateur Fray Luis Rosario. Major League Baseball paid tribute to Dotel and Blanco, while stars like Juan Luis Guerra and Marc Anthony offered condolences online. The U.S., through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, confirmed American casualties and pledged support. Economically, the loss of high-profile individuals and the potential hit to tourism, a key industry, add layers of complexity to the recovery. For a nation synonymous with vibrant music and resilience, this disaster tests both its spirit and its systems.
Politically, President Abinader faces pressure to respond decisively. His visit to the site with First Lady Raquel Arbaje and the three-day mourning period signal solidarity, but the public seeks more than gestures—structural reforms and transparency are in demand. The shift to body recovery, announced by presidential spokesperson Homero Figueroa, marked a grim acceptance that no more lives could be saved. Engineer Snayder Santana noted that most bodies recovered overnight into Thursday were female, reflecting the diverse crowd. As burials proceed, temporary centers assist overwhelmed morgues, a stark reminder of the logistical challenge matching the emotional one.
The Jet Set disaster is more than a singular event—it’s a wake-up call for the Dominican Republic. As the nation buries its dead, from merengue legends to everyday citizens, the focus shifts to healing and prevention. The cultural void left by figures like Pérez, whose music defined Dominican identity, is profound, yet stories of survival and sacrifice offer glimmers of hope. With the world watching, Santo Domingo’s path forward hinges on uncovering the truth behind the collapse and ensuring such a tragedy never repeats. For now, the sound of mourning replaces the merengue beats, but the Dominican spirit, battered yet unbroken, will rise again.
