Hundreds, including celebrities, government officials, and Dominicans from the U.S., gathered to watch a beloved merengue icon perform — but the night turned tragic when the roof collapsed, killing 221 people.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic —
What began as a night of celebration quickly turned into one of the Dominican Republic’s deadliest tragedies. At least 221 people were killed Tuesday night when the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a star-studded event in the nation’s capital.
Among the victims were two former Major League Baseball players, a legendary merengue singer, a renowned fashion designer, members of a prominent banking family, a local governor, and many young professionals. Their sudden loss has plunged the entire country into mourning.
The deaths struck close to home for many Dominicans. Local news anchors struggled to remain composed on air, while families across the island and abroad tried to process the scale of the loss.
Emergency crews continued to sift through the rubble Wednesday as dozens remained missing. Forensic teams worked tirelessly to identify the dead, while anxious families gathered outside hospitals and the national forensic institute with photos of loved ones — hoping for news, dreading the worst.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said journalist Carolina Lorenzo. “Seeing bodies being pulled out and families crying for answers — it’s heartbreaking.”
Lorenzo was personally impacted by the tragedy. The headlining performer, Rubby Pérez — a cherished merengue icon — had once performed at her wedding. Now, she was reporting on his death. “He was the best merengue musician in the country,” she said. Also among the deceased were MLB alumni Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, leaving even children mourning their heroes.
The grief extended well beyond the island. Many victims had traveled from the U.S. to attend the concert, including Wilson Casado’s cousin, nephew, and his nephew’s pregnant wife. All three had flown in from North Carolina just to see Pérez. As of Wednesday, they were still missing.
“We’ve checked every hospital. Their car is still parked outside the club,” Casado said. “We’re just praying they’re somewhere safe.”
Outside the pathology institute, the scene was harrowing. Officials emerged to call out names of newly identified victims. Each announcement was followed by cries of anguish as families collapsed under the weight of their loss.
Luis Alberto Martínez was among those waiting. His sister and niece hadn’t been heard from since the collapse. “We’re just waiting for confirmation now,” he said. “It’s been a painful, chaotic experience — one I can’t describe.”
Rubby Pérez’s brother, Rubby Micaís Pérez Díaz, reflected on the artist’s legacy: “He always said merengue was the DNA of the homeland. He wasn’t just a singer — he was part of our soul. And he died doing what he loved most.”
Pérez is being celebrated for his role in preserving merengue, the tropical music genre born in the Dominican Republic and widely regarded as a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural identity.
Despite the heartbreak unfolding in Santo Domingo, Pérez’s brother, Rubby Micaís Pérez Díaz, said the late merengue legend died doing what he loved most — performing. “What we are experiencing in Santo Domingo is very painful,” he said, “but my brother sang until his last breath.”
Major League Baseball honored former players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco on social media and at stadiums across the U.S., and extended condolences to longtime slugger Nelson Cruz, who lost his sister, Gov. Nelsy Cruz, in the tragedy.
In Montecristi province, dozens gathered outside the governor’s office Tuesday evening to await the arrival of Gov. Cruz’s remains, ahead of a ceremony honoring her life, according to local reports.
“My sister’s legacy of service and love will live forever in our hearts,” Nelson Cruz said in a statement.
Among the other high-profile victims were celebrated Dominican fashion designer Martín Polanco, as well as members of the influential Grullón family behind Grupo Popular, one of the country’s largest financial institutions. The company confirmed the deaths of Eduardo Grullón, president of AFP Popular; his wife, Jhoanna Rodríguez de Grullón; and his sister, Alexandra Grullón.
Also among the victims were Alexandra’s husband, Eduardo Guarionex Estrella Cruz — son of the Dominican Republic’s public works minister — and a bank employee, Stephanie Avendaño Patricio.
Grupo Popular expressed its deep sorrow in a public statement: “We join in the national mourning and share in the grief of Dominican society during this moment of profound loss.”
The tragedy’s impact extended far beyond Dominican borders. In New York — home to the largest Dominican community in the U.S. — hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park to honor the victims. In Lawrence, Massachusetts, community members held a vigil outside the restaurant of Fray Luis Rosario, a Dominican business owner who also perished in the collapse.
“I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our country’s history,” said Santiago Matías, a relative of Rosario, in an interview with NBC Boston.
Authorities say rescue efforts will continue to be the top priority, as many remain unaccounted for. The cause of the roof collapse is still under investigation.
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