At least 66 dead and 160 injured in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

The roof of a historic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed early Tuesday, killing at least 66 people and injuring 160 others, including a governor and a former MLB player, according to police.

When the ceiling fell, at least 300 people were inside Jet Set nightclub in the capital, Santo Domingo, during a crowded musical performance, according to Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations. Attempts to locate survivors are underway.

“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” he said.

Octavio Dotel, a former Major League Baseball player, was among those slain, according to Méndez and his organization. He died on the route to the hospital after being pulled from the wreckage, Méndez said.

The Dominican Republic's Minister of Sports, Kelvin Cruz, announced Dotel's death in an Instagram post.

"We deeply regret the passing of former Major League Baseball player and Dominican Sports Immortal, Octavio Dotel.  His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on the history of national baseball," Cruz said.

Families of the missing gathered at the site to share photos of their loved ones, as scores of ambulances transported the injured to the hospital. Officials said that personnel from at least 22 governmental institutions are on the scene to assist with emergency activities.

The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined.

It's unclear what caused the roof of the Jet Set, a popular club in the National District, to fall. However, the proprietors stated that they are "fully and transparently cooperating with the relevant authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened."

According to local media, the incident occurred when Rubby Pérez, a merengue singer, performed. 

Authorities reported the roof collapsed at 1 a.m. local time, as merengue performer Rubby Pérez and his orchestra were playing on stage.

Dominican President Luis Abinader proclaimed three days of grief following the accident. He went to the nightclub later Tuesday morning with his wife, First Lady Raquel Arbaje, to offer their condolences to the victims.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” Abinader wrote on X. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”

The president also revealed that Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province, was among those slain.

Cruz's brother, baseball star Nelson Cruz, issued a statement on behalf of the family on his Instagram account, stating that his sister's remains "will be on display at the Provincial Government of Montecristi" on Tuesday afternoon and a funeral in the evening.

Local media photos show the building's collapsed roof in parts, as well as cracking cement walls and rubble mounds.

"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," Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó wrote on X Tuesday morning.

The Jet Set nightclub is one of the Caribbean's most well-known venues, and its Monday night festivities are particularly popular.