Memorials begin for some killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse; death toll reaches 221
Mourners clad in black and white streamed into Santo Domingo's National Theater, where the body of Rubby Pérez lay inside a closed coffin. Pérez had been performing on stage at the packed Jet Set club early Tuesday when dust began falling from the ceiling and, seconds later, the roof caved.
President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje arrived at the theater and stood beside Pérez's coffin for several minutes. Some mourners doubled over in tears as a recording of Pérez singing the national anthem played. Renowned Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra was among those gathered to pay their respects.
Pérez, 69, had turned to music after a car accident left him unable to pursue his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. He was known for hits including 'Volveré,' which he sang with Wilfrido Vargas' orchestra, and 'Buscando tus besos' as a solo artist.
Just blocks from the memorial for Pérez, heavy equipment began withdrawing from the site where Jet Set once stood and rescue crews packed up their equipment.
Meanwhile, a group of prosecutors arrived.
It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse or when the building was last inspected. The government has said it will launch a thorough investigation, and the club's owners have said they are cooperating with authorities.
Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, broke down as he addressed reporters.
'Thank you, God, because today we accomplished the most difficult task I've had in 20 years,' he said, moving the microphone away from his face as he cried. Other officials patted him on the back as he continued, 'Please forgive me,' before passing the microphone to an army official.
Officials said 189 people were rescued from the rubble. More than 200 were injured, with 24 of them still hospitalized, including eight in critical condition.
'If the trauma is too great, there's not a lot of time' left to save patients in that condition, said Health Minister Víctor Atallah. He and other doctors said some of the injured suffered fractures to the skull, femur and pelvis.
Many people have been anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones, growing frustrated with the drip-drip of information provided by hospitals and the country's forensic institute.
At least 146 bodies have been identified, authorities said Thursday.
María Luisa Taveras told TV station Noticias SIN that she was looking for her sister.
'We have gone everywhere they have told us,' she said, her voice breaking.
Taveras said the family has spread out, with a relative stationed at each hospital and at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology. Dozens of people waited at the institute Thursday, wearing face masks and complaining about the smell as they demanded the release of their loved ones' bodies.
'The odor is unbearable,' said Wendy Sosa, who has been waiting since Wednesday morning for the body of her cousin, 61-year-old Nilka Curiel González. Sosa told the Associated Press by phone that the situation there was 'chaotic,' and that officials had set up a refrigerated container to handle the volume of bodies being delivered.
She wept as she described her cousin as gracious, authentic and 'very empathetic.'
Victims identified so far include former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi whose brother is seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.
Dotel will be buried Thursday in Santo Domingo. Hundreds of people attended his wake on Wednesday, including Hall of Famer David Ortiz, formerly of the Boston Red Sox. Ortiz said the number of people who attended Dotel's wake spoke volumes.
'He was a person whom everyone loved,' Ortiz told reporters. 'It's very hard, very hard, truly.'
MLB Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez attended another wake Thursday.
'There are no words to describe the pain we are all feeling,' said Martínez, adding that he knew more than 50 of those who died. 'Life is but a breath.'
Also killed was a retired United Nations official; saxophonist Luis Solís, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco; the son and daughter-in-law of the minister of public works; the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth; and three employees of Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.
More than 20 victims came from Haina, Rubby Pérez's hometown, just southwest of Santo Domingo.
On Thursday, the governor held a communal wake, setting up 10 stands for coffins beneath a banner that read: 'Haina bids farewell to her beloved children with immense sorrow.'
Among the mourners was Juancho Guillén, who lost his wife three months ago and whose brother, sister and brother-in-law died at Jet Set.
'This family is in shock, is devastated,' he told Noticias SIN. 'We're practically dead too.'
Alcántara and Coto write for the Associated Press. Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Underrated Caribbean Beach Town Is a Celebrity-favorite—and It Has Stunning Beaches, Boutique Hotels, and Crystal-clear Lagoons
Playa Grande Beach Club is an intimate collection of artfully designed bungalows set along one of the region's best beaches. Find flavorful Dominican bites and plenty of seafood at the beachside vendors that set up shop on the sands of Playa Grande; they're favored by locals and visitors alike. Perched on a clifftop overlooking an immaculate stretch of sand, Amanera embodies the sleek, sexy design Aman properties are known for, from its wellness spaces to its luxurious casitas. Laguna Gri-Gri is a haven for tropical birds and a picturesque spot for a sunset cruise amidst mangroves and coastal coves. Drive down the coast to catch the waves in Cabarete, at what is considered one of the best destinations for kitesurfing in the Caribbean. While luxury travelers once eschewed the Dominican Republic for neighboring islands, that's not the case anymore—and many are heading north, to a lesser-visited coastline where generous stretches of golden sand and tropical forests hide some of the most exclusive properties in the Caribbean. Most visitors to the Dominican Republic are usually lured in by the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana. However, along the enviable beaches that radiate from either side of Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic, a decidedly more luxe escape has blossomed, home to boutique hotels from some of the world's most upscale hotel brands—and those in the know are catching on. Recent visitors have included high-wattage names such as DJ Khaled, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Bad Bunny. "The region maintains a strong sense of 'self' with local culture and community abundant and allowing guests to experience a true Dominican flavor," says Lionel Valla, general manager of Amanera. But despite all the new development, you'll still find seemingly untouched beaches that meet towering mountain peaks coated with lush tropical forests. It's a different side of the Dominican Republic that feels raw, real, and absolutely breathtaking. Here's what you need to know before visiting Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic. A guest room at Playa Grande Beach Club. Colorful Caribbean style and Palm Beach design meet at Playa Grande Beach Club, once a privately-owned collection of beachfront bungalows, that are now a luxury boutique hotel. Antique furniture and art pieces, handmade tiles, and ornate Dominican-inspired architecture make this property one of a kind, which is all the work of award-winning interior designer and owner Celerie Kemble. With just nine intimate bungalows, each with thoughtful touches like private verandas and copper soaking tubs, Playa Grande Beach Club feels like nothing less than the home away from home you've always dreamed of. One of just two Aman hotels in the Caribbean, Amanera overlooks expanses of untouched jungle and white sands that serve as breathtaking reminders of the area's natural beauty. The property's 25 stylish standalone casitas make use of clean lines and minimalist, modern design to maximize the tropical views. Amanera has amenities such as a state-of-the-art gym, sports courts, and a wellness center with a full range of spa treatments and experiences like guided meditation and yoga sessions. Dining in the hotel's clifftop, open-air restaurant is a must on your itinerary, whether you're a guest or not. ÀNI Dominican Republic feels like the pinnacle of luxury. It's an intimate resort that welcomes just one group of guests at a time to its private peninsula, which has sweeping 270-degree views of the sea. Designed for groups of up to 28 guests at a time, the property has a 30-person staff to take care of every detail of an all-inclusive stay the likes of which you've never experienced before. Private chef and butler service, childcare, excursions and activities, and even spa treatments are all inclusive here, a staple of the experience at Àni private resorts, found in a handful of dreamy destinations, including Anguilla, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Many locals consider the beaches on the country's north coast to be some of the best in the country. Playa Grande is the area's largest and most picturesque, and its shores are surrounded by cliffs, but Valla also recommends visiting Playa Preciosa, located just a few minutes away. "Consistent waves, uncrowded beaches and temperate waters" make it suitable for both surfing and swimming, he says. Drive down the coast to Playa Calentón for a smaller yet similarly gorgeous stretch of sand with beach chairs and umbrellas for rent and food vendors to try. Set back from the serene beaches just north of Rio San Juan, Laguna Gri-Gri is a crystal-clear lagoon lined with mangrove forests and caves where tropical birds nest, making it one of the region's most important bird sanctuaries. Excursions include boat rides through the lagoon's peaceful channels that cut towards the sea, and stops at coves and caves for swimming and snorkeling. Adrenaline junkies rejoice! The northern coast of the Dominican Republic is a haven for watersports enthusiasts looking to spend their days surfing, paddleboarding, sailing, and more. Kitesurfing is the name of the game in Cabarete, with its aptly-named Kite Beach and a line of shops renting gear and offering classes for all levels. The region is one of the few places in the world where conditions are ideal for the sport year-round, though winds tend to be most favorable for kitesurfing in the warmer summer months. Every year between January and March, the Dominican Republic welcomes migrating humpback whales who seek out these warm waters to give birth to their young. You'll have to head to Samaná Bay to spot them, but it's well worth the hour-and-a-half drive to see baby whales frolicking with their mothers up close. Reward yourself with a stop at the white sand beaches of Cayo Levantado along the way. The Playa Grande Beach Club restaurant. Wander in off the beach for a late lunch or sunset dinner at Playa Grande Beach Club's main restaurant, set in its stately main house and within earshot of the ocean. The farm-to-table ethos is on full display in dishes throughout the menu, which features fresh fish and seafood alongside classic Dominican dishes available all day. There is nothing better than sipping drinks at sunset on the clifftops at Amanera's Casa Grande, though the restaurant's menu of impeccably fresh, flavorful dishes, drawing inspiration from both island and international influences, might give the views a run for their money. Casa Grande is open throughout the day and particularly popular in the evening, though brunch is its own culinary highlight. Reservations are required. The best bites in town are some of the simplest, sold directly on the sand at Playa Grande from a handful of vendors who set up shop rain or shine. "You can eat fresh fish, the sweetest piña coladas served right out of the pineapple, perfectly crispy fried plantain, and drink ice-cold beers," says Alexandra Jeronimo, the general manager at Playa Grande Beach Club. "You can also shop their little market of country souvenirs, including larimar, a gorgeous blue stone found only on the island." Rio San Juan has a handful of local eateries to choose from, but Cheo's is a popular choice for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and generous servings of local favorites. The space is simple, but dishes like grilled lobster and fresh seafood served with fried plantains make it a standout, while affordable lunch specials make it the best deal in town. Aerial view of Playa Preciosa in Rio San Juan. Despite growing interest in travel to this part of the country, Rio San Juan remains largely unchanged, and it's still a small fishing village at its core. Though there's little to do beyond grabbing beachside bites and stocking up on staples for your stay, that's kind of its charm. However, be sure to make time to take in its mountain viewpoints, stunning beaches, and local eateries. Playa Grande, just a few minutes north of town, boasts the region's sleekest accommodations and dining outlets, making it a must-visit destination while exploring the area. "Cabarete is world-renowned for kitesurfing, but the sweeping stretches of coastline will also take your breath away," says Valla of the beach town located just an hour down the coast. Wild watersports excursions and lessons for would-be surfers and pros make this a haven for the laidback rather than the luxe. However, even the poshest of travelers will have trouble finding any fault with the line of beachfront bars and restaurants. Jeronimo recommends spending some time in Cabrera, sited just half an hour from Rio San Juan. He says one of the highlights here is"a walk on the cliffs in Cabrera at sunset," since the region is known for its less-visited beaches and beautiful mountainous hiking areas that hide waterfalls and lovely viewpoints. Make sure to stop at Laguna Dudú, an oversized cenote filled with crystal clear water for cliff diving and snorkeling. The pool area at Playa Grande Beach Club. The best time to visit the north coast of the Dominican Republic is between December and April, when sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures make for ideal beach weather. Picture-perfect days draw many snowbirds and higher prices to match. However, this less-visited region still only gets a fraction of Punta Cana's travelers and never feels crowded. Atlantic hurricane season spans from June through November, so travelers visiting during the summer should expect more frequent rain showers and warmer temperatures, even when no tropical storms are in sight. The benefit of visiting during the low season is slashed prices on everything from flights to hotels, and the opportunity to see the island in all its lush, green abundance. Worried about the tangles of sargassum seaweed that have overtaken the beaches of many nearby Caribbean destinations? Don't be. Due to its location, "Rio San Juan is untouched by the sargassum that has impacted many other parts of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean," says Valla. Aerial view of a small boat pulling into a Rio San Juan lagoon. This stretch of the country's northern coast is most easily accessible via Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, located about an hour and a half west of Rio San Juan. Though Puerto Plata doesn't have as many arrivals as Punta Cana, direct flights from cities like Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Miami, and Boston make it easily accessible from the East Coast. Starting in January, Copa Airlines will begin offering direct flights to Puerto Plata via Panama City, making it even more easily accessible from the rest of the region. Travelers can also consider flying into nearby airports and making a slightly longer drive to the region. The island's capital city, Santo Domingo, is about 2.5 hours away, and Santiago de los Caballeros is about 2 hours away. A white sand beach with clear blue travelers can pick up a rental car from the airport in Puerto Plata and will find it relatively easy to navigate the main roads in the region. However, most visitors prefer to book transportation with their hotel or resort before arriving, whether in the form of a private car and driver or shared transportation with other guests. As most travelers tend to stick close to the beach or hotel for most of their stay in the region, having a rental car for your visit may be more of a hassle and an expense than it is worth.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Tokischa Is Finally Ready To Release An Album To ‘Let It All Out' — And It Won't Be What You Expect
Tokischa's hair spikes out like jagged rays of an eccentric sun, bleached in a shade of unapologetic, brassy yellow. The hairdo — teased in the dual music video for her tracks 'Miami' and 'Celos,' released in June — is intentionally loud. It's a technicolor warning that something seismic is coming, a glimpse into a new phase that the Dominican star has been meticulously planning. 'The hair is key in the world of the album,' Tokischa teases of her forthcoming debut. The look itself is a callback to Tokischa's 2021 music video for the frenetic 'Tukuntazo,' one of her early breakout hits, where she wrapped her curls in aluminum foil to construct the jagged shapes. 'Now that I have access to wigs and a hairdresser, I can really use that hair concept and develop a character with that aesthetic, which is a rocker,' she says. More from Billboard Addison Rae & Her Producers on the 'Different Energy' of Their 'Magic' All-Women Studio Sessions Meet the Producers Making Regional Mexican Music Explode Here's What Mariah Carey Really Thinks About the Billboard Charts Tokischa, the 29-year-old artist who helped turn dembow into a global sound — and has repeatedly fueled controversy with her sexually charged lyrics and provocative stage antics, including kneeling onstage to eat and drink from a dog dish — has built her career around bold, ever-evolving personas. From 2023's Popola Presidente (the 'president' of a fictional political party, PPL: Partido por la Libertad, with a platform of love, freedom and LGBTQ+ advocacy) to just Popola (Dominican slang for vagina), her work symbolizes empowerment through no-holds-barred femininity and subversion. Now in her Popola Super Saiyan era, she connects her spiked blond hairstyle to a futuristic, rebellious persona that matches her musical evolution. 'Miami' and 'Celos' were an introduction to her debut, due in mid-October, and offered a glimpse at how Tokischa is evolving within the genre. While both tracks stay rooted in her signature dembow sound, produced by longtime collaborator Leo RD, they push into new conceptual territory: 'Miami' captures euphoric liberation, while 'Celos' explores themes of jealousy and betrayal with sharp lyrical interplay and emotional rawness. Though the style remains familiar, the double release serves as a precursor to the alternative, rock and electro-pop influences woven into her full-length, whose title remains under wraps for now. Growing up in Los Frailes, a working-class neighborhood in Santo Domingo, the artist born Tokischa Altagracia Peralta was surrounded by bachata, salsa and merengue. 'When I was a little girl, I listened to a lot of romantic music, Mexican ballads, because that was what the adults in the neighborhood listened to most,' she recalls. As reggaetón and Dominican dembow began to explode in the mid- to late 2010s, she gravitated toward the street music filling the city's corners. Her mother, Tokischa's biggest inspiration, introduced her to international culture, style and the limitless possibilities of self-reinvention. When she relocated to the United States early in Tokischa's childhood to pursue a better life, she would send issues of Vogue and words of encouragement for her daughter to dream boldly. ' 'Life in the United States is very different,' ' Tokischa recalls her mother telling her. ' 'Learn English, learn to be yourself, be unique.' ' That advice shaped Tokischa's understanding that artistic expression was never about following rules. From her early beginnings dabbling in rock, trap and rap, she was always drawn to unexpected sonic hybrids while staying rooted in Dominican street sounds. 'Ever since I started making music, I started making trap because it was the closest thing to rock,' she says. 'Rock has always been one of my favorite genres.' That versatility has helped Tokischa score major collaborations: In 2021, she teamed with Rosalía on the risqué reggaetón-flamenco 'Linda' (becoming her first appearance on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart); that same year, she sparked global controversy with J Balvin on the provocative 'Perra' (which means 'b–ch' or 'female dog'). The music video depicted the Colombian superstar walking two Afro Latina women on leashes, while Tokischa posed on all fours inside a doghouse. (The video, which was widely criticized for dehumanizing and objectifying Black women, was eventually removed following widespread backlash; Tokischa later said in an interview that she was 'truly sorry that people felt offended. But at the same time, art is expression.') In 2022, the Dominican provocateur was heating up clubs with a remix of Madonna's 'Hung Up' titled 'Hung Up on Tokischa,' featuring the pop icon, which they performed in New York complete with an onstage kiss that sent the crowd into a frenzy. And in 2023, she paired with Sexyy Red for the raunchy house track 'Daddy.' Next, Tokischa will join A$AP Rocky on 'Flackito Jodye' — which he has been teasing online — from his upcoming album, Don't Be Dumb. To date, she has released over 60 singles as a lead artist and a collaborator, including five entries on Hot Latin Songs — but never an album, or even an EP. Yet, she's now embracing the album format with a debut crafted around a contained narrative. 'This album really tells a very special story for me, a very difficult time in my life that shaped me and brought me to where I am now,' she reveals. 'It's like a diary where I recount certain experiences that I've never talked about before. I feel like this was the best concept for a debut album — where I can let it all out.' Her album will arrive on Tokischa's own label, SOL, which she and her manager, Angelica Piche, co-founded in 2024 in partnership with Warner Music Latina with support from Atlantic Records. Designed as a platform for misunderstood artists, SOL reflects Tokischa's own journey. 'What drew me to Tokischa was her unapologetic authenticity and her ability to connect with global audiences through her music,' Warner Music Latina president Alejandro Duque says. 'Tokischa is in a phase of creative renewal, with expansive energy.' With SOL, Tokischa is empowering the next wave of countercultural voices while aiming to cement herself at the forefront. 'Lately, I've been a workaholic, focused on making sure everything turns out perfect so that it reflects the vision I want to share,' she says of her debut. For an artist who has long been building a world entirely her own, come October, she'll finally invite others in. This story appears in the Aug. 16, 2025, issue of Billboard. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
13 charged with operating $5M scheme that targeted older adults across US
The charges are the result of a two-year investigation between U.S. and Dominican authorities. The stolen money funded lavish lifestyles abroad. Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with operating scam call centers that raked in over $5 million by defrauding 400 older adults across the nation, federal prosecutors said. The call centers based in the Dominican Republic targeted older adults in the United States, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, announced in news released on Aug. 12. Scammers obtained the money by tricking victims into believing that their grandchildren or close family members were in trouble and desperately needed money, a scheme the FBI calls a grandparent scam. The average age of their hundreds of victims was 84, prosecutors said. "Their goal," according to Leah B. Foley, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, "was to trick our parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends into handing over their life savings on false pretenses. And they succeeded." Of the 13 people charged in federal court in Massachusetts, nine are in custody, according to the Department of Justice. Two of the suspected scammers are at large in the United States and two in the Dominican Republic, Christina Sterling, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said at a news conference on Aug. 12. Charges against the 13 include conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy, prosecutors said. The suspected scammers face potentially decades in prison if found guilty. At least one has already pleaded guilty. 'Ringleader' in custody In addition to the FBI, the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs participated in the investigation, as well as Dominican agencies, including the Dominican National Police. Dominican authorities said the arrests were the result of a two-year investigation. Among the nine in custody is Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, the chief operator of the call centers. Sterling, the U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson, described him as a "ringleader" and said he was arrested on Aug. 12 in the Dominican Republic. Castanos Garcia, 33, is suspected of directing scammers to follow a script in their calls that would lead the victim to believe that their loved one was making a call from jail after a car accident and needed money to post bail, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He operated call centers out of residential homes in Santiago de los Caballeros and Puerto Plata. "I was granted a 5-minute phone call, and I called you because I know you can help me," a script shared by the Department of Justice reads. "Please, promise that you will keep this between us until I get out, I am ashamed about this." The script directed callers to hang up by telling the victim, "I love you." Callers obtained information about their victims through the dark web, according to a federal affidavit. Castanos Garcia and a few others were arrested in the Dominican Republic and are expected to be extradited. Money went towards 'luxury purchases' The grandparent fraud schemes depend on several operators playing key roles, from "openers" who make the initial call to older adults to "runners" who collect the cash from victims and launder it back to the Dominican Republic, according to Justice Department officials. Operators kept a "scoreboard" at call centers showing how much money each "opener" and "closer" pairing made, prosecutors said. The closer is responsible for making the second call to victims. In the Massachusetts case, operators posed as public defenders who told victims how much "bail money" they had to pay. Sometimes, call center operators would call back multiple times to demand greater sums of money, making claims including that a baby had been lost in the car accident, Justice Department officials said. The money furnished lavish lifestyles for call center operators. Castanos Garcia spent the money on "upgrades to his home and luxury purchases," including a boat, court documents said. Photographs included in a federal affidavit show Castanos Garcia sitting in a hot tub aboard a yacht. Growing scheme The grandparent scam case in Massachusetts, which included at least 50 victims, is the latest in the growing field of elder fraud. FBI officials announced in June that older adults across the United States reported nearly $4.89 billion in losses due to fraud schemes, including grandparent scams. The sum represents a 43% increase in losses from 2023, according to the FBI. According to data from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, there were 147,127 complaints of elder fraud in 2024, a 46% increase from 2024, the FBI said. Among recent schemes, a federal grand jury indicted a man from the Dominican Republic in March in connection with a scheme to defraud five people of $50,000, USA TODAY previously reported. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a citizen of the Caribbean nation living in Cleveland, played all the parts of the scam from opener to runner. He pleaded not guilty in July. "Elder fraud is a growing problem and a shameful crime," Kimberly Milka, acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said in a release about elder fraud. "Not only does it rob an already vulnerable population of their sense of security, but it leaves them with devastating financial losses." Older adults are targeted because they are often seen as more trusting and also less likely to report being scammed, federal officials said. People can report elder fraud scams by emailing calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or online at the FBI's IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center.
