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Authorities are continuing to search through the rubble at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which saw mass casualties and injuries after its roof collapsed during an event in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8.
The incident occurred within the hour after midnight, according to Associated Press. Among those who were present, at least 218 attendees have died, and more than 255 have been injured or hospitalized. “We’ve practically combed through ground zero,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations. “This has been very difficult for us all.”
Montecristi governor Nelsy Cruz was reportedly killed, as was the saxophonist who performed on stage with merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Pérez himself sustained injuries, according to his manager, Enrique Paulino, and later died at the hospital. Former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera and fashion designer Martín Polanco have also died.
“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” Méndez said on Tuesday. Ambulances traveled between the nightclub site and the local hospital as authorities work to uncover more concertgoers. At least 155 transports have been made, though authorities have not found anyone alive at the site since Tuesday afternoon, resulting in a shift towards finding and recovering bodies.
National Emergency and Security Response System Director Randolfo Rijo Gómez said 911 received an influx of calls from people trapped in the rubble and deployed 25 soldiers, 77 ambulances, and multiple fire brigades within half an hour. According to the New York Times, crews were also deployed from Puerto Rico and Mexico to assist in search and rescue efforts.
Eight people in critical condition account for a fraction of the 24 attendees who remain hospitalized on Thursday, April 10. Health Minister Víctor Atallah noted that many injured patients suffered skull, pelvis, and femur fractures after being struck by falling cement from the nightclub structure.
Paulino noted that he initially thought the rumble was an incoming earthquake. In a video from the event uploaded to social media, a man can be seen pointing at the ceiling and noting that something had just fallen over the crowd. “It happened so quickly,” Paulino told local reporters. “I managed to throw myself into a corner.” Others have reported seeing dust fall into their drinks in the moments before the collapse.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” President Luis Abinader wrote on X. “We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
Dominican politician and personality Bray Vargas was not in attendance, but accompanied friends to the hospital after visiting the site. “DO NOT spread the images of the tragedy; it is very disturbing,” he wrote on Instagram. “Do it out of respect for families, victims and all those sensitive people who are on the networks. I can’t erase those moments of screaming, despair and anguish from my mind.”
The number of patrons present at the time of the collapse is unknown at the moment. Jet Set holds a total standing room capacity of around 1,000, and regularly hosts concert events on Monday evenings. Families have gathered at the location in search for missing people they believe were attending the event. “As long as they report that there is a missing person, we will be here,” Méndez said.
An official investigation into the incident will be launched following the completion of the recovery phase, government officials said on Wednesday, April 9.
“The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” Jet Set shared in a statement.
This article was updated on April 10 at 9:30 a.m. EST to reflect the updated death toll and injury count.
