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Arab Times
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Burials begin as search ends for victims in Dominican nightclub collapse
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 12, (AP): A merengue icon, a baseball star and others killed when a cement roof collapsed at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic were buried Thursday, as authorities called off the search for bodies with the death toll at 221. Mourners clad in black and white streamed into Santo Domingo's National Theater, where the body of singer 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's orchestra, and "Buscando tus besos" as a solo artist. After a five-hour memorial, mourners released dozens of white balloons outside the theater and spontaneously sang "Volveré' in unison. One woman put her hand over her heart and patted it as she cried. At the cemetery, Zulinka Pérez, one of his daughters, said: "I knew he was loved but I never imagined this.' 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.
CBS News
11-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Hopes fade of finding survivors of Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Rescue crews in the Dominican Republic dug through the remains of a legendary nightclub Thursday whose roof collapsed earlier this week, killing at least 221 people, but hopes of finding survivors were slim. Meanwhile, dozens of people in the capital of Santo Domingo were still searching for their loved ones and growing frustrated that they weren't getting any answers after visiting hospitals and the country's forensic institute. Doctors warned that some of the two dozen patients who remained hospitalized were still not in the clear, especially the eight who were 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 Dr. Víctor Atallah. He and other doctors said injuries include fractures of the skull, femur and pelvis caused by cement slabs falling on people attending a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. More than 200 were injured. The government said Wednesday night that it was moving to a recovery phase focused on finding bodies, but Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said crews at the scene were still looking for victims and potential survivors, though no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. "We're not going to abandon anyone. Our work will continue," he said. The legendary club was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people's drinks early Tuesday. Minutes later, the roof collapsed. Victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who'd been singing to the crowd before the roof fell; 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. Also killed were 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. Randolfo Rijo Gómez, director of the country's 911 system, said it received more than 100 calls, including several from people buried under the rubble. He noted that police arrived at the scene in 90 seconds, followed minutes later by first response units. In less than half an hour, 25 soldiers, seven fire brigades and 77 ambulances were activated, he said. Crews used dogs and thermal cameras to search for victims and rescued 145 survivors from the rubble, authorities said. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The government said late Wednesday that once the recovery phase ends, it will launch a thorough investigation. The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club told The Associated Press that she passed along questions about potential inspections. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor's office. A spokesperson for the mayor's office didn't respond to a request for comment.
Los Angeles Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Memorials begin for some killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse; death toll reaches 221
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Memorials were taking place Thursday for a merengue star and others killed when a cement roof collapsed at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic, as the number of dead surged to 221 and crews completed their search for bodies. 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.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-04-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Death Toll in Roof Collapse at Nightclub in Dominican Republic Rises
The number of dead in a roof collapse at an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic surged to 218 on Thursday, an official said. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said crews at the scene were still looking for victims and potential survivors, although no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. 'We've practically combed through ground zero,' he said, adding that there's one very small area of rubble left that crews are focusing on. 'This has been very difficult for us all.' According to The Associated Press, doctors warned that some of the two dozen patients who remained hospitalized were still not in the clear, especially the eight who were 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 that injuries include fractures in the skull, femur and pelvis caused by slabs of cement falling on those attending a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where more than 200 were injured. On Wednesday, dozens of people had anxiously searched for their loved ones, growing frustrated upon getting no answers after visiting hospitals and the country's forensic institute. By Thursday, a lone family remained with no answers. María Luisa Taveras told TV station Noticias SIN that she was still looking for her sister. 'We have gone everywhere they told us,' she said, her voice breaking. Taveras said the family has spread out, with a relative stationed at each hospital and at the forensic institute. The government said Wednesday night that it was moving to a recovery phase focused on finding bodies. The legendary club was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people's drinks early Tuesday. Minutes later, the roof collapsed. Victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before the roof fell; 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. 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. Randolfo Rijo Gómez, director of the country's 911 system, said it received more than 100 calls, with several of those made by people buried under the rubble. He noted that police arrived at the scene in 90 seconds, followed minutes later by first response units. In less than half an hour, 25 soldiers, seven fire brigades and 77 ambulances were activated, he said. Crews used dogs and thermal cameras to search for victims, rescuing more than 180 survivors from the rubble, authorities said. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The government said late Wednesday that once the recovery phase ends, it will launch a thorough investigation. The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club told The Associated Press that she passed along questions about potential inspections. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor's office. A spokesperson for the mayor's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Boston Globe
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Memorials begin for some killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse as death toll reaches 221
Advertisement Pérez turned to music after a car accident left him unable to pursue a dream of becoming a professional baseball player. He was known for hits including 'Volveré,' which he sang as a member of Wilfrido Vargas's orchestra, and 'Buscando tus besos' as a solo artist. Blocks away from his memorial, crews continued the grim hunt for victims and survivors. No one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. 'We've practically combed through ground zero,' said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, adding that crews were focusing on one last small area of rubble. Later Thursday, Méndez broke down while addressing 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. Advertisement Officials said 189 people have been rescued alive 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. The legendary club in Santo Domingo was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people's drinks early Tuesday. Minutes later, the roof collapsed. 'He was a person that everyone loved' Since then, dozens of 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 on 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 was 'chaotic,' and that officials had set up a refrigerated container to handle the volume of bodies being delivered. Advertisement She wept as she described her cousin as gracious and authentic. 'Very empathetic,' Sosa said. 'She was a very helpful person.' 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.' 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, whose brother, sister and brother-in-law died at Jet Set. 'This family is in shock, is devastated. We're practically dead too,' he told Noticias SIN, adding that his wife also died three months ago. Advertisement A quest for answers Minutes after the roof collapsed, the 911 system received more than 100 calls, many of those made by people buried under the rubble, said Randolfo Rijo Gómez, the system's director. He noted that police arrived at the scene in 90 seconds, followed minutes later by first response units. In less than half an hour, 25 soldiers, seven fire brigades and 77 ambulances were activated, he said. Prosecutors also arrived at the scene. It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse or when the building was last inspected. The government said late Wednesday that once the recovery phase ends, it will launch a thorough investigation. The club issued a statement saying it is cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club told The Associated Press that she passed along questions about potential inspections.
