27 fatalities and more than 150 injuries reported as nightclub roof collapses during concert in the Dominican Republic

A nightclub ceiling collapsed during a Rubby Pérez concert in Santo Domingo, killing at least 27 people.

The roof of a well-known nightclub fell during a concert in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, early on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 27 confirmed dead and over 150 injured.

Jet Set, a popular discotheque that frequently holds Monday night merengue performances, is where the incident took place. Around one in the morning, the roof collapsed, trapping hundreds of people underneath the debris when the club was crowded with people enjoying a live performance by the famed singer Rubby Pérez.

More than 400 search and rescue workers have been sent to the area, and rescue efforts are still underway. As rescue workers continue to look for survivors, authorities warn that the death toll may increase.

Rescuers are still making a lot of effort to find people who are thought to be buried beneath the rubble, according to Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE). He expressed hope that some of the people trapped were still alive, saying, “Ambulances have made over 100 trips to nearby hospitals, sometimes carrying more than one patient at a time.”

Although the cause of the collapse is yet unknown, there are indications of potential structural problems in the video footage captured during the concert. One social media video shows a man exclaiming, “Something fell from the ceiling,” immediately before the music is cut off by a tremendous thud. A woman’s terrified voice can then be heard sobbing, “Dad, what’s happened to you?” as the screen goes dark.

Before mayhem breaks out, another video from inside the club shows patrons dancing and sitting at tables close to the stage while Pérez sings.

Speaking to local media, a member of Rubby Pérez’s band claimed that the venue was completely packed when the incident occurred. According to the artist, “I thought it was an earthquake.” According to reports, Pérez was one of the first people stuck in the debris. Although she did not elaborate on his health, his daughter acknowledged that he was caught in the collapse.

The families of the victims have received condolences from Dominican President Luis Abinader. In a brief statement released Tuesday morning, he stated, “We are mobilizing all available resources to support those affected and we mourn the loss of life.”

While local officials have advised the public to avoid the area while rescue activities are ongoing, authorities have opened an investigation into the occurrence.

The event dealt a terrible blow to Santo Domingo’s music and entertainment sector because Jet Set has long been a cultural landmark in the city’s nightlife.

It is anticipated that rescue efforts would go on all night.