Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — At least 98 people have been confirmed dead after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a concert by famed merengue singer Rubby Perez, prompting a massive rescue operation that has now shifted largely from recovery to retrieval of victims’ remains.

The tragedy struck just after midnight Tuesday during what was expected to be a celebratory night of music and dancing. Instead, it became one of the deadliest building collapses in the country’s history. Among the victims were Dominican music icon Rubby Perez and former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Perez was performing on stage when the venue was plunged into darkness, followed by a deafening crash as the roof caved in. His daughter, Zulinka, who was also at the concert, survived the collapse. “He didn’t make it out,” she told reporters.

Perez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, confirmed the singer’s death to AFP, adding that the family is now coordinating funeral arrangements.

The 51-year-old Dotel, a World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, was initially pulled from the rubble alive but succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital, according to local media. In tribute, Citi Field in New York displayed his image alongside the Dominican flag before Tuesday’s MLB game between the Mets and the Marlins.

Also killed in the collapse was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province, President Luis Abinader confirmed. The president visited the disaster site and declared three days of national mourning.

A Scene of Chaos and Desperation

More than 370 rescue workers, including firefighters and civil defense teams, combed through mounds of steel, bricks, and debris well into Wednesday. While the initial hope was to find survivors, authorities acknowledged by the early hours that most efforts were now focused on recovering bodies.

“As long as there is hope for life, all authorities will be working to recover or rescue these people,” said Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Emergency Operations Center.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as the roof gave way. “At one point, dirt started falling into our drinks, like dust,” said Iris Pena, who escaped with her son. “Then a stone cracked the table we were sitting at. It felt like an earthquake.”

The club, which reportedly has a standing capacity of up to 1,000 people, was filled with between 500 and 1,000 guests at the time of the collapse, according to local media. Helicopter footage showed a gaping hole where the roof once stood, with cranes and rescue crews still on site.

Outside area hospitals, family members gathered anxiously, desperate for information about loved ones. “They are not giving us news,” said Regina del Rosa, whose sister was at the concert. “We are desperate.”

Authorities have urged citizens to donate blood to help the injured, dozens of whom were transported to local hospitals.

A National Tragedy at a Landmark Venue

Jet Set, considered a cultural institution in the Dominican Republic, has hosted weekly concerts for over 50 years. Its last social media post, issued just before Monday night’s concert, invited fans to “enjoy [Perez’s] greatest hits and dance in the country’s best nightclub.”

Following the disaster, the club said it is cooperating “fully and transparently” with authorities.

The collapse comes as the Dominican Republic experiences record-breaking tourism, drawing over 11 million visitors in 2024. Nightlife and music are central to the country’s appeal, with venues like Jet Set representing the heart of its vibrant cultural identity.

An investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway. Officials have not ruled out structural failure, but have not yet released definitive findings.

This developing story continues to unfold as the nation mourns the loss of cultural and sporting icons and awaits answers to what caused such a catastrophic failure in one of its most beloved venues.