The death toll continues to increase in the midst of a continuous search and rescue effort after the roof of a nightclub of the Dominican Republic collapsed during a concert.
At least 218 people were killed, the Dominican authorities said Thursday, and another 155 wounds in the collapse of the ceiling in the Jet Set nightclub, located in the capital of Santo Domingo, according to the National Police.
The incident occurred at 12:34 AM on Tuesday, during a concert by the Dominican singer of Merengue Rubby Pérez, according to the police. The roof collapsed in seconds, police said.
Rescue workers seek survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after their roof collapsed during a meringue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025.
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The specialized technical teams were active throughout Wednesday, with heavy machinery used for the elimination of debris, authorities said.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred in the Jet Set nightclub,” said the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, in a publication on social networks. “We have been following the minute incident per minute since it happened. All aid agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are tirelessly working on rescue efforts. Our prayers are with affected families.”
Pérez, 69, a renowned singer in the country, was found dead in the Collapsed Club, according to the National Police of the Dominican Republic.
A tribute published in his Instagram account said that Pérez’s music and legacy “will live forever in our hearts.”
Rescue workers seek survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after their roof collapsed during a meringue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025.
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The members of the fire and rescue services evacuate an injured person in the scene after the collapse of the Jet Set Club ceiling in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025.
Orlando Barria / EPA-EFE / Shuttersock
The deceased also included former MLB player Octavio Dotel, 51, according to the Minister of Interior and Police of the Dominican Republic, Faride Raful.
Dotel was taken from rescue teams, but died in an ambulance while he was on his way to a hospital, according to Colonel Randolfo Rijo Gómez, head of emergency services of the 911 of the country.
The Dominican pitcher played for 13 MLB teams, including the Mets, who maintained a moment of silence for Dotel before his game on Tuesday.
“We regret the death of Octavio Dotel,” Mets said on social networks mail. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”
Dotel was part of a game without hits combined against the Yankees in June 2003, a team that would play three years later.
In this archive photo of October 10, 2012, Octavio Dotel de los Tigres de Detroit observes during the game four of the series of the American League division against the athletics of Oakland in the Coliseum of the County of Oakland-Alameda in Oakland, California.
Mark Cunningham/Getty Images, Archive
Another former MLB player, Tony Blanco, 44, was also killed in the ceiling collapse, according to the Ministry of Sports and Recreation of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican baseball player played for Washington nationals, as well as professionally in Japan and the Dominican Republic.
“His legacy will live in the history of national baseball,” the ministry said in a statement on social networks. “We share your pain with your family, friends and colleagues, and offer our prayers for your eternal rest.”
The Governor of Montecristi, Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martínez, was also among those killed, according to the National Police and the Abinader office. She was the sister of former MLB star Nelson Cruz, who shared a statement from the Cruz Martínez family on social networks that said her “legacy of service and love for others will live forever in our hearts.”
“Major League baseball is deeply saddened by the passes of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz and all the victims of the tragedy last night in Santo Domingo,” said MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. in a statement on Tuesday. “We send our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of all who have already been affected our colleague Nelson and their whole family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic works deeply, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans throughout the game today.”
People embrace at the site where the roof of the Jet Set night club collapsed, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025.
Erika Santelices/Reuters
Fashion designer Martin Polanco died in the ceiling collapse, his family confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday. A fashion icon in the Dominican Republic, Polanco wore artists, including Daddy Yankee and Sergio Vargas, as well as designed for Abinader.
At least one American citizen was among those killed, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The permanent legal residents of the United States also died in collapse, according to Rubio, who did not specify how many.
“Our hearts are with families and loved ones affected by this devastating event,” he said in a Publish in x On Wednesday. “The United States is ready to support our Dominican allies in the midst of this difficult time.”
A man awaits the news of a beloved outside the Jet Set nightclub, that the roof collapsed two days ago, in Santo Domingo on April 10, 2025.
Martin Bernetti/AFP through Getty Images
Many families gathered in the scene in search of their loved ones that were inside the club, according to DJ Shakirax, which was in the nightclub and shared videos of the scene on Tuesday.
An investigation into the cause of collapse is underway, police said.
There was a fire in 2023 that damaged part of the nightclub, the authorities said.
Aicha Castano and Morgan Winsor de ABC News contributed to the report.
