Santo Domingo, April 10 (V7N) – At least 124 people have died after the roof of a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed late Tuesday night. Rescue teams are still searching through the rubble, hoping to find survivors.

The disaster happened during a live performance at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where well-known merengue singer Rubby Pérez was on stage. Authorities confirmed that Pérez was among those who lost their lives. His body was found early Wednesday.

More than 150 others were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, according to emergency officials.

What Happened?

The collapse took place shortly after midnight on Tuesday during a live concert. Videos shared on social media show Rubby Pérez performing just seconds before the roof gave way. His manager, Enrique Paulino, said the show had begun around 11:50 p.m., and the roof fell about an hour later.

The exact cause of the collapse is still unknown. Investigators are looking into what led to the tragedy, but no official explanation has been given yet. The National Police has not commented on the investigation’s progress.

Who Were the Victims?

The list of victims includes several high-profile figures, including:

Rubby Pérez, the merengue singer performing that night

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz

Octavio Dotel, 51, former Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets

Tony Blanco, 43, former MLB player

Eduardo Guarionex Estrella, son of the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Public Works

A saxophonist performing with Pérez

Nelsy Cruz was reported to have called President Luis Abinader around 12:49 a.m. from under the rubble. She later died at the hospital. President Abinader visited the site Tuesday and offered condolences to the victims’ families.

Baseball has a deep cultural connection in the Dominican Republic, and the loss of several former MLB players hit the nation hard. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement expressing sorrow for the lives lost and support for the Dominican baseball community.

Rescue Efforts Continue

Rescue teams from Puerto Rico and Israel have joined local crews to help with the search. Authorities say the international help is a strong show of support during this national tragedy.

Families gathered near the scene all day Wednesday, waiting for news of loved ones. Among them was former MLB pitcher Pedro Martinez, who shared his grief on social media:

“I still have family members that are under the rubble, and we don’t know what happened to them.”

Emergency crews are working nonstop to clear debris and search for any signs of life.

Investigation Underway

Officials have not confirmed what caused the roof to fall, but safety experts and structural engineers are expected to inspect the site. Authorities said updates will be shared as soon as more is known.

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