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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.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Officials scramble to identify victims of Dominican nightclub roof collapse
The number of victims who died after a roof collapsed at a nightclub surged to 184 as dozens of people lingered outside the Dominican Republic's forensic institute for news of their loved ones still missing more than a day after disaster struck. Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Centre 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. Several blocks away from the rubble, people searching for friends and family donned face masks and began complaining about a bad odour as they pleaded with officials to give them information about their loved ones. Earlier in the day, National Institute of Forensic Pathology officials read the names of 54 victims they had identified so far. 'We cannot wait until night-time!' said one woman who was waiting for news of a relative whose name she did not hear. 'We're going to go crazy!' Officials called for calm, saying they had already delivered at least 28 bodies to their families but did not yet have a tally of all the bodies recovered. Late on Wednesday, officials raised the number of dead to at least 184, with more than 200 injured. 'The authorities are selling us false dreams!' cried out Jose Sanchez, whose brother and brother-in-law were still missing. – The collapse The Jet Set 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 on Tuesday. Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed some instantly and trapped dozens of others on a dance floor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert. In the minutes that followed, the country's 911 system received more than 100 calls, many from people buried under rubble. The victims include merengue icon Rubby Perez, who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck. His body was found early on Wednesday, said Mr Mendez. The government announced on Wednesday evening that it was moving to a recovery phase focused on finding bodies after 145 people were rescued from the wreckage of the nightclub. Rescue crews from Puerto Rico and Israel had arrived early on Wednesday to help with the search. Santo Domingo mayor Carolina Mejia praised what she said were acts of love, including one Dominican who was handing out coffee to those at the scene and a man on vacation from Costa Rica who joined the search because he's part of a rescue crew back home. – The victims So far, only a few dozen people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic. Those who died include a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, a retired United Nations official, the son and daughter-in-law of the minister of public works and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the country's Professional Baseball League, told The Associated Press. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the north-western province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted President Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him from underneath the rubble but later died at a hospital. Other victims include saxophonist Luis Solis, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martin Polanco; several Venezuelan bartenders; and an Army captain who left behind four young girls. Grupo Popular, a financial services company, said three of its employees also died, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. One man tearfully told reporters that he lost five relatives, including his wife and son. Dozens of victims remained unidentified. 'I have been to many hospitals, and I have not found her,' Deysi Suriel said of her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, a North Carolina resident who was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Health Minister Dr Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam announced the creation of a commission to provide psychological help for the victims' families. More than 20 of the injured remained in hospital on Wednesday, including at least eight in critical condition. 'A point in their favour is that they're young,' said Dr Julio Landron, director general of the Dr Ney Arias Lora Trauma Hospital, which has 21 of the Jet Set injured, including five in critical condition. Dr Landron warned, however, that none of them are in the clear, noting some suffered fractures in the skull, femur and pelvis. 'They spent hours, more than six, seven, eight hours under rubble with multiple fractures, multiple injuries, with bleeding related to being crushed,' he said. – The search Dozens of frantic relatives listened to officials read aloud a list of the identified victims at the forensics institute, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. 'Francisco Alberto Mendez… Rosa Herminia Perez… Ramon Teodoro Jimenez… Juan Manuel Santana,' one official read as the crowd strained to listen. 'Here! Here!' yelled one person upon hearing the name of their loved one. In the crowd was Virginia Rosario, who was looking for relatives including her cousin, who is still missing, and her sister, Rosa Herminia Perez, who died and whom she described as 'beautiful, precious, very nice'. 'I'm in a lot of pain,' she said. 'I have had many moments of despair.' Officials said late on Wednesday morning that they had not been able to identify at least 33 bodies. 'This is a very traumatic situation,' said national legislator Pedro Martinez, who also has relatives missing. Among those searching for friends and family was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were missing. 'It was their favourite place, they went there almost every Monday,' Ms Jones said. She said her niece also was missing. It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. 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.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Dominican Republic nightclub death toll reaches 184
The number of people killed by a collapsing roof at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 184, as officials scramble to identify the victims. Dozens of people lingered outside the Dominican Republic's forensic institute late on Wednesday for news of their loved ones still missing after the incident at Jet Set nightclub. A growing number of them donned face masks and began complaining about a bad odour as they pleaded with officials to give them information about their loved ones. Earlier in the day, National Institute of Forensic Pathology officials read the names of 54 victims they had identified so far. "We cannot wait until nighttime," said one woman who was waiting for news of a relative whose name she did not hear. Officials called for calm, saying they had already delivered at least 28 bodies to their families, but did not yet have a tally of all the bodies recovered. "The authorities are selling us false dreams," cried out Jose Sanchez, whose brother and brother-in-law were still missing. So far, only a few dozen people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic. Those who died include a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, a retired United Nations official, the son and daughter-in-law of the minister of public works and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth. Also killed was former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, a spokesperson for the country's Professional Baseball League told The Associated Press. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted president Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him from underneath the rubble, but later died at a hospital. Other victims include saxophonist Luis Solis, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martin Polanco; several Venezuelan bartenders and an army captain who left behind four young girls. Grupo Popular, a financial services company, said three of its employees also died, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. One man tearfully told reporters that he lost five relatives, including his wife and son. Dozens of victims remained unidentified. "I have been to many hospitals, and I have not found her," Deysi Suriel said of her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, a North Carolina resident who was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Health minister Dr Victor Elias Atallah Lajam announced the creation of a commission to provide psychological help for the victims' families. More than 20 of the injured remained in hospital on Wednesday, including at least eight in critical condition. It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The club issued a statement saying it was co-operating 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.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Death toll in Dominican club roof collapse hits at least 184
The number of people killed by a collapsing roof at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has risen to 184, as officials scramble to identify the victims. Dozens of people lingered outside the Dominican Republic's forensic institute late on Wednesday for news of their loved ones still missing after the incident at Jet Set nightclub. A growing number of them donned face masks and began complaining about a bad odour as they pleaded with officials to give them information about their loved ones. Earlier in the day, National Institute of Forensic Pathology officials read the names of 54 victims they had identified so far. 'We cannot wait until nighttime,' said one woman who was waiting for news of a relative whose name she did not hear. Officials called for calm, saying they had already delivered at least 28 bodies to their families, but did not yet have a tally of all the bodies recovered. 'The authorities are selling us false dreams,' cried out Jose Sanchez, whose brother and brother-in-law were still missing. So far, only a few dozen people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic. Those who died include a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer, a retired United Nations official, the son and daughter-in-law of the minister of public works and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth. Also killed was former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, Satosky Terrero, spokesperson for the country's Professional Baseball League, told The Associated Press. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted president Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him from underneath the rubble, but later died at a hospital. Other victims include saxophonist Luis Solis, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martin Polanco; several Venezuelan bartenders; and an army captain who left behind four young girls. Grupo Popular, a financial services company, said three of its employees also died, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. One man tearfully told reporters that he lost five relatives, including his wife and son. Dozens of victims remained unidentified. 'I have been to many hospitals, and I have not found her,' Deysi Suriel said of her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, a North Carolina resident who was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Health minister Dr Victor Elias Atallah Lajam announced the creation of a commission to provide psychological help for the victims' families. More than 20 of the injured remained in hospital on Wednesday, including at least eight in critical condition. It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. 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.
