Nightclub Roof Collapses in Dominican Republic and Kills Over 60, Including Singer Rubby Pérez and Former MLB Player
The roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed and killed at least 60 people on Tuesday, including merengue singer Rubby Pérez and Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of Monte Cristi, according to CNN. Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel was also found dead.
The incident occured in the early hours of Tuesday morning when Pérez was playing a show at the Jet Set in Santo Domingo. There are no reports on what led to the roof to collapse, but the business owners said they were 'totally collaborating and being transparent with the appropriate authorities to help victims and clarify up what happened.'
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Pérez's daughter Zulinka Pérez, was also reportedly singing backup at the event, survived the collapse. She told press about her father, 'He's injured, but he's hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him. He's always told me: 'If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures.''
Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the mayor of Santo Domingo, addressed the incident via social media: 'Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.'
President Luis Abinader also wrote on X sharing his 'deep regret' over the tragedy. 'We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,' he wrote. 'All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.'
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