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Los Angeles Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Memorials begin for some killed in Dominican Republic nightclub collapse; death toll reaches 221
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Memorials were taking place Thursday for a merengue star and others killed when a cement roof collapsed at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic, as the number of dead surged to 221 and crews completed their search for bodies. Mourners clad in black and white streamed into Santo Domingo's National Theater, where the body of Rubby Pérez lay inside a closed coffin. Pérez had been performing on stage at the packed Jet Set club early Tuesday when dust began falling from the ceiling and, seconds later, the roof caved. President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje arrived at the theater and stood beside Pérez's coffin for several minutes. Some mourners doubled over in tears as a recording of Pérez singing the national anthem played. Renowned Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra was among those gathered to pay their respects. Pérez, 69, had turned to music after a car accident left him unable to pursue his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. He was known for hits including 'Volveré,' which he sang with Wilfrido Vargas' orchestra, and 'Buscando tus besos' as a solo artist. Just blocks from the memorial for Pérez, heavy equipment began withdrawing from the site where Jet Set once stood and rescue crews packed up their equipment. Meanwhile, a group of prosecutors arrived. It is still unclear what caused the roof to collapse or when the building was last inspected. The government has said it will launch a thorough investigation, and the club's owners have said they are cooperating with authorities. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, broke down as he addressed 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. Officials said 189 people were rescued 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. Many 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 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 there was 'chaotic,' and that officials had set up a refrigerated container to handle the volume of bodies being delivered. She wept as she described her cousin as gracious, authentic and 'very empathetic.' 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.' MLB Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez attended another wake Thursday. 'There are no words to describe the pain we are all feeling,' said Martínez, adding that he knew more than 50 of those who died. 'Life is but a breath.' 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, who lost his wife three months ago and whose brother, sister and brother-in-law died at Jet Set. 'This family is in shock, is devastated,' he told Noticias SIN. 'We're practically dead too.' Alcántara and Coto write for the Associated Press. Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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.
Chicago Tribune
10-04-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Number of dead in a roof collapse at a nightclub in Dominican Republic rises to 218
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — 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. 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. Originally Published: April 10, 2025 at 8:07 AM CDT
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
World Series Champ Among Dozens Killed In Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse
Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was among those who died after the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed. Dotel was reportedly pulled out of the rubble alive but later gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital. Baseball fans have taken to social media to mourn the deceased World Series champion as the death toll from the tragic incident rises. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel has died following the tragic collapse of a Dominican Republic nightclub he attended. According to local media reports, the sports star was among the eight people initially rescued from the rubbles alive, but he died on the way to the hospital. At least 44 people are reported to have died from the fatal incident, which happened when popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez was mid-performance, per Noticias SIN. Multiple outlets have shared that they confirmed Dotel's death as reports suggest at least 150 people were injured inside the packed nightspot. "Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel has passed away, after being rescued from the rubble at the Jet Set night club in the Dominican Republic due to the collapse of the roof," MLB insider Héctor Gómez wrote in a post on X. Meanwhile, Perez was reportedly pulled alive from the rubble. His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the group's saxophonist was among those who sadly lost their lives. Also among the dead was the sister of Nelson Cruz, Nelsy Milagros Cruz Martinez, the governor of the Montecristi province of the Dominican Republic. Cruz played for eight MLB teams between 2005 and 2023 and was a seven-time All-Star. The celebrated pitcher was initially signed by the New York Mets and pitched with 13 teams, including the Yankees, in a career that spanned from 1999-2013. He had a career record of 59-50, an ERA of 3.78, and 109 saves in 758 games (34 starts). Dotel won the 2011 World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that defeated the Texas Rangers. Dotel is survived by his wife Massiel and their children Eduardo and Nicole, per his MLB profile. Just three days before the deadly collapse, Massiel posted a video of herself and Dotel talking about their happy marriage. Fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute to the renowned baseball star. "There are not enough words to express what one feels when faced with such a loss," a fan wrote. Another person commented, "No way?! I remember when he pitched for the White Sox. Sad situation overall." "Wow! So sad! Hopefully, the Mets do a little dedication to him at Citifield," a third person wrote, while another added, "May God receive Octavio Dotel in his glory and bring comfort to his loved ones. May the souls of all those who passed away rest in peace, and may their families find strength.' Two other MLB stars were reported to have been at the nightclub that night but escaped the tragic incident as they left before it happened. According to La Nación, two other former MLB players, Henry Blanco, who played for the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Esteban Germán, who played for the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics, were also at the Jet Set nightclub that fateful night. However, the pair left before the roof collapsed around 1 a.m. in the early morning hours of Tuesday. General Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), said his team is still searching for survivors under the rubble. "The important thing is that we're rescuing the people who are alive... we're looking for everyone, Rubby and everyone who was there," Méndez said, per Noticias Sin. Meanwhile, rescue efforts will continue as President Luis Abinader said that all rescue agencies were "working tirelessly" to help those affected. "We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred," he wrote on X. Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó added: "Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones."
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Missing American college student seen in new hotel security footage before disappearance
Missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki is seen in recently released security camera footage obtained by local news from the hotel where she was staying in the Dominican Republic before she vanished. Konanki, 20, was last seen on the beach with a witness identified as 22-year-old Joshua Riibe of Iowa around 4:50 a.m. on March 6. The pair had been out drinking with friends at the RIU Republica in Punta Cana before Riibe said they went for a swim during a red-flag warning. The footage obtained by Noticias SIN from a hotel bar shows Konanki and Riibe drinking before the Pitt student vanished. No suspects have been named in connection with her disappearance, and Riibe has only been identified as a witness and has not been accused of any crime. Konanki can be seen wearing the white, sorong-style dress that authorities found on a beach chair after she vanished. Key Witness In American College Student's Disappearance Tells Police How They Met, What Happened On Beach Other footage obtained by Noticias SIN from the RIU Republica lobby shows Konanki with her friends before her disappearance. Read On The Fox News App Konanki and Riibe were both staying at the RIU Republica on separate trips to Punta Cana. Riibe had arrived with a friend on March 1, and Konanki had arrived with five friends from Pitt on March 3. American College Student Disappears In Dominican Republic: Timeline Around 4:15 a.m. on March 6, Konanki was part of a group of six women and two men, including Riibe, seen on surveillance video approaching the beach. Six of them came back around 6 a.m., leaving Konanki alone on the beach with Riibe. He came back alone around 10 a.m. He sat with police for multiple interviews, including one Wednesday that is recorded on a transcript obtained by Fox News. According to the document, Riibe said he and Konanki were talking in the water when a "big wave" hit them, the transcript reads. There was a red-flag warning on the beach at the time, indicating a warning for people not to go swimming in rough surf. Hotel Horror Stories Emerge After American College Student Goes Missing As Resort Insists No Connection "[W]ith the water's pullback, it dragged us further into the sea," he said. "As soon as we surfaced, we tried to call for help, but no one was there." Riibe is a former pool lifeguard. He said he struggled to pull Konanki ashore, according to the transcript. Once they were on their feet, he said she walked away to get her belongings and he threw up and passed out. He told police she was walking in knee-deep water when he last saw her. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia said it could not validate Wednesday's transcript but that it was consistent with what Riibe told two Loudoun detectives sent down to assist in the investigation. "Mr. Riibe is not a suspect in any way shape or form," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital, adding that the Dominican Republic is leading the investigation. Missing American In Dominican Republic: No Suspects As Search For Sudiksha Konanki Reaches One Week Riibe's lawyer, Beatriz Santana, declined to comment on the case or her client's interviews with police. Riibe's parents issued a statement through their attorney on Friday taking issue with Dominican authorities' handling of the case. "Despite his full willingness to cooperate, Josh has been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday, March 12," his parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, said through their attorneys. His parents said the 22-year-old "has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6, where he has been interrogated for long hours." "This situation has raised serious concern within his family, which has led us to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process," they said. The family said they were willing to continue cooperating with search efforts and wanted to share their "deep sorrow and solidarity" with Konanki's family. "Above all, we wish to contribute to the search efforts and understand the anguish and uncertainty they are going through and we share the hope that Sudiksha will be found as soon as possible," they said. "Joshua Riibe is deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has fully cooperated in the search and clarification of the facts from the very beginning." Fox News' Michael Ruiz and Bryan Llenas contributed to this article source: Missing American college student seen in new hotel security footage before disappearance
