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Khaleej Times
12-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE expresses solidarity with Dominican Republic as death toll from building roof collapse tops 200
The UAE has expressed its solidarity with the Dominican Republic and offered its sincere condolences for the victims of a building roof collapse that resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the UAE extends "its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Dominican Republic, its friendly people, and the families of the victims of this tragic incident, wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured". The Dominican government released a report on Friday on the tragedy that left at least 221 people dead. The report did not clarify the causes of the tragedy, while a team of national and international experts is expected to continue investigating the structural failure. The collapse occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub during a crowded concert by merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was among those killed. More than 4,500 emergency workers were deployed to the scene, working for nearly 59 hours after the tragedy to search for survivors, recover bodies and assist families. A total of 189 people were rescued from the rubble, while 17 people still remain hospitalized, the national health service said. The Emergency Operations Centre (COE) said the venue was at full capacity, though the exact number of attendees and the cause of the collapse remain under investigation. Local media and ticketing sites indicate the club could accommodate between 700 and 1,000 people. As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the National Institute of Forensic Pathology is still working to identify the victims and return remains to relatives. "This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE," said Emergency Operations Center chief Juan Manuel Mendez on Thursday. President Luis Abinader is scheduled to attend a memorial mass at the Polideportivo De Haina sports center this Sunday, the last day of the national mourning period.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dominican Republic releases report on nightclub collapse that killed 221
Rescuers work at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article The Dominican government on Friday released a preliminary report on the deadly nightclub roof collapse that claimed at least 221 lives in the capital, Santo Domingo, earlier this week. The document, however, did not specify the causes of the structural failure. The collapse occurred just after midnight on Tuesday during a live concert at the popular Jet Set nightclub. The venue was hosting renowned merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was among those killed in the incident. Authorities said 189 people were rescued from the rubble, and 17 others remain hospitalised with injuries. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that the nightclub was operating at full capacity at the time of the collapse, though the exact number of attendees remains unknown. According to ticketing platforms and local reports, the venue can accommodate between 700 and 1,000 people. Over 4,500 emergency workers were mobilised in response, with search and recovery operations lasting nearly 59 hours. Rescuers combed through debris to retrieve survivors, recover bodies, and assist grieving families. The National Institute of Forensic Pathology is still working to identify all the deceased and return their remains to relatives. "This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE," said Juan Manuel Mendez, the agency's director, during a press conference on Thursday. A full investigation into the cause of the collapse is now underway. A joint team of national and international structural experts has been appointed to examine the venue's design, maintenance records, and compliance with safety regulations. Public reaction to the tragedy has been one of grief and growing frustration, with many calling for stricter enforcement of building codes and safety inspections in entertainment venues. President Luis Abinader is scheduled to attend a memorial mass on Sunday at the Polideportivo De Haina sports centre. The mass will mark the final day of a three-day period of national mourning declared in honour of the victims.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Dominican Republic issues official report on collapse that killed 221
SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) - The Dominican government released a report on Friday on the deadly roof collapse at a packed nightclub earlier this week that left at least 221 people dead. The report did not clarify the causes of the tragedy, while a team of national and international experts is expected to continue investigating the structural failure. The collapse occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub during a crowded concert by merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was among those killed. More than 4,500 emergency workers were deployed to the scene, working for nearly 59 hours after the tragedy to search for survivors, recover bodies and assist families. A total of 189 people were rescued from the rubble, while 17 people still remain hospitalized, the national health service said. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) said the venue was at full capacity, though the exact number of attendees and the cause of the collapse remain under investigation. Local media and ticketing sites indicate the club could accommodate between 700 and 1,000 people. As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the National Institute of Forensic Pathology is still working to identify the victims and return remains to relatives. "This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE," said Emergency Operations Center chief Juan Manuel Mendez on Thursday. President Luis Abinader is scheduled to attend a memorial mass at the Polideportivo De Haina sports center this Sunday, the last day of the national mourning period.
Reuters
12-04-2025
- Reuters
Dominican Republic issues official report on collapse that killed 221
SANTO DOMINGO, April 11 (Reuters) - The Dominican government released a report on Friday on the deadly roof collapse at a packed nightclub earlier this week that left at least 221 people dead. The report did not clarify the causes of the tragedy, while a team of national and international experts is expected to continue investigating the structural failure. The collapse occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub during a crowded concert by merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was among those killed. More than 4,500 emergency workers were deployed to the scene, working for nearly 59 hours after the tragedy to search for survivors, recover bodies and assist families. A total of 189 people were rescued from the rubble, while 17 people still remain hospitalized, the national health service said. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) said the venue was at full capacity, though the exact number of attendees and the cause of the collapse remain under investigation. Local media and ticketing sites indicate the club could accommodate between 700 and 1,000 people. As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the National Institute of Forensic Pathology is still working to identify the victims and return remains to relatives. "This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE," said Emergency Operations Center chief Juan Manuel Mendez on Thursday. President Luis Abinader is scheduled to attend a memorial mass at the Polideportivo De Haina sports center this Sunday, the last day of the national mourning period.
Gulf Today
11-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Death toll nears 200 in Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy
A devastating roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic has claimed at least 184 lives, authorities said late on Wednesday, as the search for survivors turned increasingly grim. The nightclub collapsed on Tuesday and for two days families have gathered outside the wreckage of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, anxious for information about their missing relatives and sharing photos with police. "We are not going to abandon nobody," Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the country's emergency operations center, said at a press conference. Emergency crews will continue to work until the last body will be found, but hopes of finding more survivors under the rubble were diminishing while no one had been pulled out alive in more than 24 hours, Mendez added. "In the coming hours there will be a transition from a search and rescue phase to the recovery of the bodies phase," presidential spokesperson Homero Figueroa said in a statement. People gather at a gas station near the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub as they wait for news of relatives and friends in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday. Reuters Families continued to hold out hope. Along with dozens of others, Alex de Leon was looking for his ex-wife, mother of their two children, and a close mutual friend at the area surrounding the nightclub. "Unfortunately I don't have any information about where they are," he said. "My 15 year-old son is devastated, and the little one who is 9 remains calm because we've told him that his mom is at work." Relatives and friends of people who are still missing held their photos and described the clothes they were wearing when the tragedy struck, hoping that it will help identify their loved ones if they were disfigured. Earlier on Wednesday authorities reported that 155 people had been rescued from the rubble and transferred to hospitals. The exact number of people inside the club at the time of the collapse remained unclear. From celebration to tragedy The tragedy unfolded during a concert by popular Dominican singer Rubby Perez. The event, which had drawn politicians, athletes and other prominent figures, turned into a nightmare after midnight as the roof suddenly collapsed. Perez was one of the victims and the Ministry of Culture announced it will hold a tribute on Thursday to honor his memory as "one of the great figures of the country's art" and the merengue scene. People wait for information outside an improvised morgue next to the Jet Set nightclub following the collapse of its roof in Santo Domingo on Wednesday. AFP The families of the victims whose bodies have already been recovered have begun to hold their funerals. President Luis Abinader attended the funeral ceremony on Wednesday of Nelsy Cruz, governor of the northern Monte Cristi province and sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz, a seven-time All-Star. "We are left to mourn her and the other victims," Abinader said during the service. Pitcher Octavio Dotel and slugger Tony Blanco, both former Major League Baseball players, were also killed. The son of the public works and communications minister also died in the disaster. Reuters
