A catastrophic structural failure at the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday morning has resulted in 58 confirmed deaths and more than 160 injuries, marking one of the deadliest single-venue tragedies in the country’s recent history.
The collapse occurred at approximately 1 a.m. local time during a live performance by merengue legend Rubby Pérez. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the event was well-attended, and the roof’s sudden failure triggered immediate panic and chaos. Witnesses described the moment as resembling an earthquake, as steel, concrete, and lighting fixtures fell onto the crowd below.
Among the deceased are two individuals with deep ties to Major League Baseball:
Octavio Dotel, 51, a former MLB pitcher and Dominican native known for playing on a league-record 13 different teams, was initially rescued alive from the wreckage but died en route to a hospital. The Dominican National Police confirmed his passing.
Nelsy Cruz, sister of current MLB star Nelson Cruz and governor of Montecristi province, also perished. First Lady Raquel Arbaje revealed that Cruz managed to call President Luis Abinader from beneath the debris but succumbed to her injuries hours later.
MLB teams, including the Houston Astros, where Dotel played from 1999 to 2004, issued statements mourning his loss. Nelson Cruz has not yet commented publicly on his sister’s death.
We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals that passed away when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night.
Dotel, 51, spent five seasons (2000-04) of his outstanding, 15-year Major… pic.twitter.com/wQui3h7rko
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 8, 2025
Rubby Pérez survived the collapse but sustained injuries. One of his longtime band members, a saxophonist, was confirmed dead. Rescue teams continued operations through Tuesday afternoon, utilizing cranes, cutting tools, and heat-detecting equipment in hopes of locating survivors beneath the twisted remnants of the building.
President Abinader visited the disaster site and declared three days of national mourning, assuring the public that emergency agencies were “working tirelessly” to support the victims and their families.
The Jet Set nightclub, founded in 1973, is regarded as a historic venue in Dominican entertainment culture. It underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, but officials are now investigating whether its structural integrity had been compromised. Early reports indicate a 2023 lightning strike, combined with aging infrastructure, may have weakened the building’s roof over time.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into possible construction negligence, code violations, or environmental damage that may have contributed to the collapse. Engineers and public safety officials are also expected to audit similar venues across the country as a precautionary measure.
The Dominican Republic’s national government, led by President Abinader, has mobilized military, medical, and disaster response teams. Hospitals across Santo Domingo remain on high alert, treating victims suffering from crush injuries, trauma, and burns.
Speaking with local and international media, First Lady Arbaje called the event “a tragedy too great to fully express in words,” and emphasized the importance of national unity and swift accountability as the country begins mourning the lives lost.
