Latest news with #NelsyCruz
Fox Sports
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
What to know about the roof collapse at an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic
Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed during a merengue concert this week, killing at least 221 people and injuring over 200. Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo when disaster struck early on Tuesday. Officials have said it's too early to determine why the roof fell. Rescue crews suspended the search for survivors and moved to a phase focused on finding bodies. Dozens of people who had waited at hospitals and the forensics institute were finally getting information about their loved ones. What happened? The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the start of the merengue concert headed by Rubby Pérez at Jet Set, a club known for its Monday night merengue parties that drew international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling and people starting to move away seconds before the entire roof collapses onto them. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital. Why did the roof collapse? Authorities say it's too early to determine the cause of the disaster. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks in an effort to reach survivors buried under the debris. More than 180 survivors were rescued from the rubble. It's unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic or when Jet Set was last inspected. A Ministry of Public Works spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the mayor's office for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor's office could not be reached. Jet Set's owners, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, were also not reachable for comment. Who are the victims? Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said he had been rescued. But Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said his body was found early Wednesday. The singer's manager, Enrique Paulino, said the group's saxophonist also died. The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, league spokesperson Satosky Terrero said. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. What is Jet Set? The club in southern Santo Domingo has operated for nearly five decades, with 'Jet Set Mondays' featuring local and international merengue artists. The club and restaurant, which opened in 1973, was the most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic, according to the newspaper Listín Diario. It later relocated and celebrated its first anniversary at the new location 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 Pérez were $32, while the VIP ones were $40, according to the club's website. What's next? The government announced late Wednesday that it was moving into a recovery phase after rescue crews searched for survivors for more than 24 hours following the collapse. An in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings or commented on what might have caused it. Relatives waited at the nation's forensics institute as it worked to identify victims, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. Many of those injured were in critical or serious condition with broken bones. in this topic
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nelsy Cruz, sister of former Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz, among dead in collapsed Dominican club
Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi province and sister of former Seattle Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz, was among the 124 people killed after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed Tuesday, according to Dominican officials. Cruz had managed to call President Luis Abinader from under the rubble to alert him of the disaster before later dying at a hospital, officials said. Her death is one of the most high-profile in what is now considered one of the worst mass-casualty incidents in recent Dominican Republic history. The collapse occurred early Tuesday at the iconic nightclub during a packed merengue concert attended by musicians, athletes, and government figures. Dust reportedly began falling from the ceiling before massive concrete slabs dropped, crushing dozens on the dance floor and injuring hundreds. At least 250 people were hurt, and more than 145 survivors have been pulled from the wreckage. Rescuers from Puerto Rico and Israel joined the effort Wednesday, using sonar to locate what they believe may still be a living person trapped under debris. The country's forensic institute in Santo Domingo has become a gathering point for anguished families, many of whom are still waiting for word about loved ones. Officials have identified 54 of the dead so far and said they have released 28 bodies to relatives. At least 33 bodies remain unidentified. 'We cannot wait until nighttime!' cried one woman waiting for news. 'We're going to go crazy!' Among the dead are prominent public figures, including MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, according to the Dominican Professional Baseball League. Also killed were merengue legend Rubby Pérez, who was performing on stage when the collapse began, and saxophonist Luis Solís, who was also playing that night. Fashion designer Martín Polanco, several Venezuelan bartenders, and an Army captain who left behind four daughters also died. Financial services firm Grupo Popular said three of its employees were among the victims, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Pedro Martínez, a Hall of Fame pitcher, told reporters that he also has family members who are missing. 'I hope our relatives appear,' he said. Outside the National Institute of Forensic Pathology on Wednesday, relatives clutched photographs, listening tensely as officials read names aloud: 'Francisco Alberto Méndez ... Rosa Herminia Pérez ... Juan Manuel Santana...' 'Here! Here!' someone shouted after recognizing a name. Virginia Rosario was there searching for relatives. She had already learned that her sister, Rosa Herminia Pérez, had died. 'I'm in a lot of pain,' she said. 'I have had many moments of despair.' Some are still searching. Kimberly Jones was looking for her godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, who frequented the club every Monday. Her niece also remains missing. Hospital officials said more than 20 people were still hospitalized, including at least eight in critical condition. Dr. Julio Landrón of Dr. Ney Arias Lora Trauma Hospital said five of their patients were critically injured, with fractures to the skull, pelvis, and femur. 'They spent hours—more than six, seven, eight hours—under rubble with multiple fractures and bleeding,' he said. What caused the roof to collapse remains under investigation. The Jet Set club, known for its vibrant Monday night events and celebrity clientele, issued a statement saying it is cooperating with authorities. When asked about the last inspection of the building, the club's spokesperson said inquiries had been forwarded to the appropriate parties. The Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the Santo Domingo mayor's office, which has not yet issued a statement. Mayor Carolina Mejía, however, publicly commended those offering help at the scene, including a vacationing Costa Rican rescue worker and a local man handing out coffee to rescuers and families. Emergency director Juan Manuel Méndez pledged that the search would continue as long as there were people reported missing. 'As long as they report that there is a missing person, we will be here,' he said. The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dominican Republic roof collapse death toll climbs to at least 124
The death toll from a roof collapse at a popular Dominican Republic nightclub has climbed to at least 124, authorities said Wednesday as they continued the search for survivors. More than 300 people were inside Jet Set in the capital city of Santo Domingo when the roof collapsed just before 1 a.m. Tuesday. Many remained unaccounted for as the search and rescue operation continued. PHOTOS: Over 100 dead after nightclub collapse in Dominican Republic Merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when tragedy struck, was among the dead, according to emergency operations director Juan Manuel Mendez. Perez's body was found early Wednesday, Mendez said. Officials said 145 people had been rescued alive from the rubble. So far, 54 of the confirmed 124 deceased victims have been identified. For many waiting desperately for news of their loved ones, that was not enough. 'We cannot wait until nighttime!' one woman shouted Wednesday as more victims were publicly identified. 'We're going to go crazy!' Jet Set was known for merengue concerts on Mondays, and the club was packed with politicians, athletes and musicians when the roof collapsed. Also among the dead were former Yankees and Mets pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican star Tony Blanco, who played briefly for the Washington Nationals. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of ex-MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was also killed in the collapse. Nelsy Cruz was the one who called President Luis Abinader from the rubble to let him know about the disaster. Other victims included saxophone player Luis Solis, who was also performing, and New York-based fashion designer Martin Polanco. Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez said late Tuesday some of his relatives were in attendance and still missing. 'Our hearts are with you, and we all are affected,' Martinez said in an Instagram video. 'I still have family members that are still in the [rubble], and we don't know what happened to them, but we just want to be strong like we have always been.' Investigators are still unsure what caused the roof to collapse. Videos shared online showed dust falling from the ceiling just minutes before the entire structure came falling down. Club owners said they were cooperating with the official investigation. However, the immediate priority on Wednesday remained search and rescue. With News Wire Services
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.
Sky News
09-04-2025
- Sky News
At least 98 dead after roof collapses at Dominican Republic nightclub
At least 98 people have died after the roof collapsed at a nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic, authorities said. At least 160 people were injured, with crews searching for potential survivors in the rubble of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, said Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations. "We continue clearing debris and searching for people," he said. "We're going to search tirelessly for people." Rescue workers were prioritising three areas in the club, he said, adding: "We're hearing some sounds." The cause of the roof collapse is not yet clear. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northern Montecristi province, is among those to have died. Octavio Dotel, a former MLB pitcher who won a world championship with the St Louis Cardinals and played for 13 teams in a 15-year career, was also among the victims. Dotel, 51, died en route to a local hospital after being pulled from the debris, a spokesman for the nation's sports ministry said Meanwhile, the injured include Dominican singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof collapsed. His manager Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group's saxophonist. Mr Paulino said: "It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner." He added that he initially thought there had been an earthquake. Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader wrote on X: "We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families." Mr Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces. He did not speak to reporters. An official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd, which had gathered to search for friends and relatives, to give ambulances space. "You have to cooperate with authorities... please," he said. "We are removing people." At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and shouted out the names of their loved ones.
