At least 44 people lost their lives, and approximately 160 others were injured when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, according to authorities. Former MLB pitcher and 2011 World Series champion Octavio Dotel was among those rescued from the rubble, but he later died from his injuries.
The incident occurred during a performance by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was also pulled alive from the debris. Rescue operations continued for nearly 12 hours as emergency crews worked to extract survivors from the nightclub, which was packed with politicians, athletes, and other attendees.
Dotel, 51, who pitched for 13 major league teams during his 15-year career, was initially reported to be among those pulled alive from the rubble. However, according to local media outlet Noticias SIN, he later died from his injuries.
The former right-handed pitcher began his MLB career with the New York Mets in 1999 and later played for the New York Yankees in 2006. He was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the World Series against the Texas Rangers in 2011 before concluding his professional baseball career with the Detroit Tigers in 2013.
According to reports, Pérez, who was performing at the time of the collapse, was found singing while trapped in the debris. His manager, Enrique Paulino, was seen with blood-stained clothing and informed reporters that the group’s saxophonist was among those who died in the collapse.
Among the confirmed fatalities was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the political and sports communities in the Dominican Republic.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations in Santo Domingo, expressed hope for additional rescues as crews continued to search through the debris. “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 stated.
At the scene, firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed planks of wood to lift heavy debris. The sound of drills breaking through concrete filled the air. The one-story structure’s roof had completely caved in, trapping many attendees beneath the wreckage.
The Jet Set nightclub, an iconic venue in Santo Domingo, issued a statement expressing “deep pain and dismay” over the loss of life. The establishment was reportedly filled to capacity for the merengue concert, which had drawn a diverse crowd.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader addressed the situation on the social media platform X. He expressed regret over the tragedy and assured the public that all rescue agencies were “working tirelessly” to help those affected by the collapse.
Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó also issued a statement about the disaster. She described it as a “terrible tragedy” and extended her sympathies to families waiting for news about their loved ones who had been at the nightclub.
At hospitals throughout Santo Domingo, officials stood outside reading the names of survivors as desperate crowds gathered, calling out the names of their missing relatives and friends. According to Noticias Sin, 31 of the injured were taken to Dr. Dario Contreras Hospital, with 12 in critical condition.
The United States Embassy in Santo Domingo expressed condolences through a statement by Charge d’Affaires Patricia Aguilera.
As of Tuesday evening, rescue crews continued sifting through the debris in search of additional survivors. The cause of the roof collapse remains under investigation, and there is no immediate explanation for the structural failure that led to one of the deadliest building collapses in recent Dominican history.
According to local sources, two other former baseball players, Esteban Germán and Henry Blanco, were reportedly at the club earlier but had left before the incident occurred. Their departure may have prevented them from being caught in the collapse that devastated the community.
