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Rubby Pérez has died following a roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on Monday night. He was 69. The merengue singer’s manager Enrique Paulino confirmed to Rolling Stone that Pérez was among the at least 218 people who died following the tragedy that took place while Pérez was performing that evening.
Earlier in the day, Pérez’s family had stated that the merengue singer was transported to a local hospital after paramedics “found him singing” under the rubble. The singer’s daughter, Zulinka Pérez, told the press at the time, “We hope to God that he recovers soon … He’s injured, but he’s hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him. He’s always told me: ‘If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures.’”
The singer was transferred to the Plaza de la Salud hospital, where he received treatment before his death.
According to The New York Times, at least 218 people were killed in the accident and more than 155 ambulance transfers were made from the nightclub about an hour into Pérez’s performance. Authorities say that more than 300 concertgoers were at the nightclub and dozens were still unaccounted for.
“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,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
It’s unclear what led the Jet Set nightclub roof to collapse, but the business owners said they were “fully and transparently cooperating with the relevant authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened.”
Montecristi Gov. Nelsy Cruz was killed, as was the saxophonist who performed onstage with Pérez. Former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco were also among those who died.
This story was updated at 8 p.m. ET with the confirmation of Rubby Pérez’s death.
