Roof Collapses at Dominican Republic Nightclub, Leaving at Least 98 Dead.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed early Tuesday during a merengue concert attended by politicians, athletes, and others, resulting in at least 98 deaths and 160 injuries, according to authorities.

Crews are actively searching for potential survivors in the rubble of the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, as reported by Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.

“We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” he said on Tuesday night. “We’re going to search tirelessly for people.”

Nearly 12 hours after the roof of the nightclub collapsed onto patrons, rescue crews were still extracting survivors from beneath the debris. They carefully listened for faint cries for help, signaling others to be quiet as they worked. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed pieces of wood as makeshift planks to lift the heavy debris, while the sound of drills breaking through concrete echoed through the air.

Juan Manuel Méndez said rescue crews were focusing on three areas in the club, adding, “We’re hearing some sounds.”

Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. She had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., informing him she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Officials later confirmed that Cruz died in the hospital.

“This is too great a tragedy,” Abraje said, her voice breaking.

The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic confirmed on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, also died in the collapse. Officials had earlier pulled Dotel from the rubble and rushed him to the hospital. Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera was also killed, as confirmed by league spokesman Satosky Terrero.

Late Tuesday night, those still searching for family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club, singing hymns as they waited for news.

Authorities reported at least 160 people were injured, including national lawmaker Bray Vargas.

Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially believed he had been rescued. However, Méndez later clarified that this was not true and that rescue teams were still searching for Pérez.

Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was stained with blood, told reporters that the concert had started shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing nearly an hour later, resulting in the death of the group’s saxophonist.

“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.

The cause of the roof collapse and the timing of the last inspection of the Jet Set building remain unclear at this time.

The club released a statement expressing its cooperation with authorities and clarified that the owner, Antonio Espaillat, was out of the country but returned late Tuesday.

“There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened has been devastating for everyone,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works directed questions to the mayor’s office, but a spokesperson for the mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told TV station CDN that, while “everyone wants to know” what happened, authorities were still focused on rescuing survivors. They set up a makeshift morgue near the club, and over 120 people lined up at two different centers to donate blood.

Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son attended the concert but had not returned home, was among those anxiously waiting outside the club. The Jet Set is known for its traditional Monday parties, where both national and international artists often perform.

“We’re holding on only to God,” Olivo said.

Also awaiting word was Massiel Cuevas, godmother of 22-year-old Darlenys Batista.

“I’m waiting for her. She’s in there, I know she’s in there,” Cuevas said, firm in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive.

President Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he wrote.

President Luis Abinader arrived at the scene and embraced those searching for friends and family, many of whom had tears streaming down their faces. “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” he told reporters.

An official with a megaphone stood outside the club, urging the large crowd that had gathered to search for loved ones to give ambulances room to operate.

“You have to cooperate with authorities, please,” he said. “We are removing people.”

At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her, shouting out the names of their loved ones.

Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which shared images of the victims to help their families identify them.