Tragedy at Jet Set: Dominican Republic Mourns After Nightclub Collapse Kills Over 200

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have officially shifted from rescue to recovery efforts following the devastating roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub, which has claimed at least 221 lives. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during a performance by famed merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who was later confirmed among the dead. While rescue operations had continued non-stop since the collapse, officials announced on Wednesday that all realistic hopes of finding survivors had been exhausted.

Snayder Santana, an engineer with the civil protection services, confirmed that many of the bodies recovered overnight were women. With the removal of major debris completed by Thursday morning, efforts now center on recovering and identifying the deceased with dignity. According to a statement from the country’s Emergency Center Operations, the mission has moved into a “sensitive and crucial” stage focused solely on recovery.

The emotional toll of the tragedy was evident when Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the operations center, broke down during a press briefing on Thursday. Fighting tears, he declared it the most difficult assignment in his 20 years of service. As of Thursday, 189 people had been pulled out alive, but no survivors have been found since Tuesday. The official death toll, which stood at 184 earlier, has now risen to 221, with more victims likely still buried beneath the rubble.

The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation, but local media reported that the nightclub, built over 50 years ago, may have been unfit to host such a large crowd. The venue is well-known in the Caribbean for its upscale reputation and star-studded events. Two former Major League Baseball players were reportedly among those killed in the collapse, adding to the heartbreak surrounding the tragedy. Aerial images of the site revealed a massive hole where the audience had gathered to enjoy the live performance.

As grief engulfed the nation, families gathered near the ruined nightclub, clinging to hope or mourning confirmed losses. Some searched hospital lists, while others combed field hospitals for any word of their loved ones. President Luis Abinader, accompanied by First Lady Raquel Arbaje, visited the disaster site on Tuesday to offer condolences and later attended Rubby Pérez’s funeral alongside other prominent figures, including singer Juan Luis Guerra.

Health Minister Victor Atallah revealed that many victims died instantly, suffering blunt force trauma to the head and chest when the ceiling fell. The sheer number of casualties has shocked the country, prompting President Abinader to declare three days of national mourning. Though the nightclub was a symbol of elite entertainment, the tragedy has left behind a haunting reminder of the consequences of aging infrastructure and unanticipated disaster.

(img:sky news)