SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) 鈥 The roof of an iconic nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic collapsed nearly an hour after a merengue concert began, killing at least 79 people and injuring at least 160. Politicians and athletes were among those attending Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck Tuesday.
Officials said it鈥檚 too early to determine why the roof fell.
Rescue crews were still searching for survivors in the rubble more than 12 hours after the roof collapsed as a crowd of people awaiting word from their loved ones waited anxiously nearby.
What happened?
The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the merengue concert headed by Rubby P茅rez began at Jet Set, which was known for hosting merengue parties every Monday that drew international and national artists and high-profile Dominicans.
A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling as people began to move away seconds before the entire roof fell.
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of seven-time , was the first person to alert Dominican President Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him and said she was buried under the debris, according to First Lady Raquel Abraje.
Nelsy Cruz later died at the hospital from her injuries, officials said.
Why did the roof collapse?
Authorities say it鈥檚 too early to determine why the roof fell. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks to try and reach survivors buried under the debris.
It鈥檚 unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic and when the last inspection was done at Jet Set.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works told The Associated Press that all officials were on scene and not immediately available. She referred questions to the mayor鈥檚 office.
A spokesperson for the mayor鈥檚 office could not be immediately reached for comment.
The owners of Jet Set, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Who are the victims?
Relatives of merengue singer Rubby P茅rez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, said earlier that he was rescued. But Juan Manuel M茅ndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said late Tuesday afternoon that information 鈥渢urned out to be false.鈥 He said rescue crews were still looking for P茅rez.
Meanwhile, the singer鈥檚 manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, said the group鈥檚 saxophonist died.
The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel died. Officials had earlier rescued Dotel from the debris and transported him to a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, said Satosky Terrero, league spokesman.
What is Jet Set?
It鈥檚 an iconic nightclub located in southern Santo Domingo that has operated for nearly five decades. It was known for its 鈥淛et Set Mondays鈥 that featured local and international artists.
The club opened in 1973 as a club and restaurant, becoming the most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic, according to List铆n Diario, a local newspaper.
It later moved from the place where it originally opened, celebrating its first anniversary with merengue and salsa icon Johnny Ventura.
The club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and it was struck by lightning in 2023, according to the newspaper.
General admission tickets for Monday鈥檚 concert with Rubby P茅rez were $32, while the VIP ones were $40, according to the club鈥檚 website.
What鈥檚 next?
Rescue crews were still looking for survivors as of late Tuesday afternoon, and government officials have not said when they would shift to a recovery phase.
While an in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected, authorities have not yet commented on what might have caused the roof to fall, including any potential preliminary findings.
Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told TV station CDN that while 鈥渆veryone wants to know鈥 what happened, authorities were still focused on finding survivors.
