Singer Rubby Pérez dead as nightclub collapse kills 98

A devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo has left at least 98 dead and more than 150 injured, officials confirmed. Rescue operations are still underway, with around 400 emergency workers searching for survivors under the rubble. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during a live performance by merengue legend Rubby Pérez, who was among those killed, according to his manager. Among the high-profile victims were Octavio Dotel, a 51-year-old former Major League Baseball pitcher, and Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Dotel was pulled from the debris but died en route to the hospital. Jet Set, a well-known venue for Monday night dance concerts, was packed with hundreds of attendees, including celebrities, athletes, and politicians. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the roof gave way suddenly. Video footage from inside the club shows concertgoers enjoying the show moments before the collapse. One clip captures a man pointing to the ceiling and saying, “Something fell,” just seconds before the screen goes black and screams are heard. “It felt like an earthquake,” said a band member from Pérez’s group, recalling the moment the roof came crashing down around 1 a.m. Emergency Operations Centre director Juan Manuel Méndez said he remains hopeful that more survivors can be rescued. President Luis Abinader offered condolences to the victims’ families and praised emergency responders for their continued efforts. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.