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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.
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.
Korea Herald
10-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Hope of survivors fades in aftermath of Dominican nightclub roof collapse
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Rescue crews in the Dominican Republic on Thursday dug through the remains of a legendary nightclub whose roof collapsed earlier this week, killing at least 184 people, but hope of finding survivors was slim. Meanwhile, dozens of people in the capital of Santo Domingo still searched for their loved ones, growing frustrated upon getting no 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 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. 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 although 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 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 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.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hopes of finding survivors in Dominican Republic club roof collapse fade as death toll rises to 218
Hope is fading for families awaiting word on their loved ones trapped under the rubble after the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed earlier this week, as the death toll climbed to 218 Thursday morning. So far, 189 people were rescued after the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed Tuesday morning, authorities said in a Thursday morning update. "We've practically combed ground zero, there's only a little bit left to look at," Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the country's Emergency Operations Center, said in a Thursday morning news conference. He said the victim area would be closed later Thursday, adding, "It's been very hard for everyone" and expressing solidarity with the affected families. Méndez added that search and rescue efforts were still underway and in coordination with various state agencies. The club was once a bustling center for nightlife. The collapse turned the cultural jewel into a wreckage site, with more than 300 firefighters scouring through the rubble and giant cranes removing pieces of the concrete roof. When the roof caved in, revelers were enjoying a performance by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was later found dead. Other identified victims include former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Cabrera, Dominican fashion designer Martín Polanco, employees of Grupo Popular — one of the country's largest banking companies, and Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province. The country's Emergency Operations Center said Wednesday night that the mission was transitioning from a search and rescue phase to a recovery operation. "Over the past few days, rescue teams have worked without interruption, removing debris, assisting the injured and recovering people alive," the agency said in a statement in Spanish. "However, having exhausted all reasonable avenues for finding more survivors, the operation now enters a different, but equally sensitive and crucial, phase: the recovery of human bodies with the due respect and dignity that each victim deserves." After the recovery phase, an investigation will begin into the cause of the tragedy. Antonio Espaillat, a representative of the Jet Set team, expressed his condolences in a Tuesday video on Instagram. "There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened has been devastating for everyone. We want you to know that we are with you and that we share your anguish," he said. He noted that the club has been fully cooperating with authorities. "As the Jet Set family, we are with you. To you, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and loved ones of those affected: you can count on us. Everything we do now, every decision, every step, has one purpose: to live up to your pain and be with you," he added, thanking President Luis Abinader and emergency teams. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Number of dead in roof collapse at nightclub in Dominican Republic surges to 218
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP/Boston 25) — 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.' 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. Additionally, one of the known dead is North Andover, Massachusetts, resident Fray Louis Rosario, owner of two restaurants in Lawrence: Terra Luna Cafe and La Varga Cantina. He and his wife were vacationing in the Dominican Republic. Boston Red Sox legend and Dominican native Pedro Martinez said he had family members unaccounted for in the rubble. 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. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
