Roof collapse at Dominican nightclub kills 113, including merengue icon Rubby Pérez
In one of the deadliest tragedies in the Dominican Republic’s history, at least 113 people were killed when the roof of a popular Santo Domingo nightclub collapsed early Tuesday morning. Among the victims was legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time of the collapse.
The incident occurred at Jet Set, one of the country’s renowned nightlife venues, known for its weekly “Lunes de Jet Set” events featuring top-tier local and international performers. Pérez, 69, was mid-performance, singing the merengue classic “De color de rosa,” when the ceiling gave way at 12:44 a.m. local time, plunging the venue into chaos and darkness.
Initial reports suggested Pérez had survived, but Center for Emergency Operations General Director Juan Manuel Méndez confirmed Wednesday morning that his body had been found during ongoing search efforts.
Officials are still working to determine how many people were inside the club at the time of the collapse. The venue has a seating capacity of 700 and can hold up to 1,000 standing. Local media report that 267 reservations had been made for the night, with many tables accommodating up to 10 guests.
Among the other victims were Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province, and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Tributes have poured in from the global baseball community and merengue fans worldwide.
As of Wednesday morning, rescue teams have pulled approximately 145 people alive from the rubble while local press reported that more than 200 people were injured. More than 370 rescue workers — including teams from Puerto Rico and Israel — are involved in ongoing recovery efforts. Aerial images show a gaping hole where the roof once stood.
Dozens of families gathered outside the nightclub, nearby hospitals, and the city morgue, anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones.
President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning. During the period, the Dominican flag will fly at half-staff across all military and government institutions.
The tragedy follows other recent disasters in the Caribbean nation, including the 2023 explosion in San Cristóbal that killed 38, and the 2005 prison fire in Higüey that claimed 136 lives.
Rubby Pérez —born Roberto Antonio Pérez Herrera — was one of merengue’s best known singers. With a career spanning over four decades, he rose to fame with Wilfrido Vargas’s orchestra before launching a successful solo career in 1986. His hits include “Volveré,” “Sobreviviré,” and “Fui buscando tus besos.”
