Latest news with #JetSetMondays
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A look into the nightclub in the Dominican Republic where 124 people died
The roof of one of the Dominican Republic's most well-known and iconic nightclubs collapsed early Tuesday, killing at least 124 people. The roof collapsed around 1 a.m. during the performance of merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra. There were at least 300 people inside the Jet Set nightclub at the time, according to CNN. Pérez died in the collapse, officials said. It is still unclear what caused the massive collapse as rescue efforts continue into their second day. The Jet Set club shared a statement Tuesday: 'We are collaborating fully and transparently with the competent authorities to help the victims and clarify what happened,' according to CBS. According to NBC, there were at least 155 ambulance transfers to local hospitals. It was reported that 145 people of those who were rescued on Tuesday were alive, per CNN. It is unknown how many people are still buried under the rubble. The Jet Set, in southern Santo Domingo, is one of the Dominican Republic's most famous venues. The club often featured artists of national and international renown. According to The Associated Press, the nightclub was especially known for its 'Jet Set Mondays,' which featured local and international merengue artists. These Monday events were popular and typically well attended. The club, which also had a restaurant, opened in 1973 and later moved locations. In 2010 and 2015, the club underwent renovations, and there was a fire at the club in 2023 after a lightning strike, per the AP. The price for general admission tickets for Monday's show with Pérez was $32 while VIP tickets cost $40. According to NBC, Pérez, who was performing at the time of the collapse, was among those who were killed by the tragic event. Pérez's manager said that the group's saxophonist also died. Two former Major League Baseball players were also killed in the collapse, Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Another victim was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Montecristi province and sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz. While trapped in the rubble, the governor called President Luis Abinader to tell him about the disaster. She later died in the hospital. New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco was also killed, along with an Army captain, three employees at Grupo Popular and the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife, according to the AP. The owner of Terra Luna Cafe in Massachusetts, Fray Luis Rosario, was also killed, according to NBC.
Korea Herald
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
What to know on the roof collapse at the Jet Set club in the Dominican Republic
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The roof of an iconic nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic collapsed nearly an hour after a merengue concert began, killing at least 98 people and injuring at least 160. Politicians and athletes were among those at Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck Tuesday. Officials said it's too early to determine why the roof fell. Rescue crews searched for survivors in the rubble through the night as a crowd of people awaiting word from their loved ones waited anxiously nearby. The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the merengue concert headed by Rubby Perez began at Jet Set, which was known for hosting merengue parties every Monday that drew international and national artists and high-profile Dominicans. A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling as people began to move away seconds before the entire roof fell. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was the first person to alert Dominican President Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him and said she was buried under the debris, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Nelsy Cruz later died at the hospital from her injuries, officials said. Authorities say it's too early to determine why the roof fell. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks to try and reach survivors buried under the debris. It's unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic and when the last inspection was done at Jet Set. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works told The Associated Press that all officials were on scene and not available. She referred questions to the mayor's office. A spokesperson for the mayor's office could not be reached for comment. The owners of Jet Set, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, could not be immediately reached for comment. Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, said earlier that he was rescued. But Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said late Tuesday afternoon that information "turned out to be false." Perez was later confirmed to be dead. Meanwhile, the singer's manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, said the group's saxophonist also died. The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel died. Officials had earlier rescued Dotel from the debris and transported him to a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, said Satosky Terrero, league spokesman. It's an iconic nightclub in southern Santo Domingo that has operated for nearly five decades. It was known for its "Jet Set Mondays" that featured local and international artists. The club opened in 1973 as a club and restaurant, becoming the most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic, according to Listín Diario, a local newspaper. It later moved from the place where it originally opened, celebrating its first anniversary with merengue and salsa icon Johnny Ventura. The club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and it was struck by lightning in 2023, according to the newspaper. General admission tickets for Monday's concert with Rubby Perez were $32, while the VIP ones were $40, according to the club's website. Rescue crews were to continue looking for survivors through the night. While an in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected, authorities have not yet commented on what might have caused the roof to fall, including any potential preliminary findings. Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told TV station CDN that while "everyone wants to know" what happened, authorities were still focused on finding survivors.
