Thu Apr 10 23:55:00 UTC 2025: ## Dominican Republic Mourns After Nightclub Roof Collapse Kills 221

**SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (April 11, 2025)** — The Dominican Republic is in mourning following the tragic collapse of a nightclub roof on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 221 people. The incident occurred at the packed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo during a performance by merengue icon Rubby Pérez. The search for bodies has concluded.

Among the victims are renowned figures including former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province; and a retired UN official. The death toll includes a significant number of residents from Haina, Pérez’s hometown. Over 189 people were rescued, with more than 200 injured, 24 of whom remain hospitalized, eight in critical condition.

President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje attended Pérez’s funeral at the National Theater, alongside other prominent figures such as musician Juan Luis Guerra. Pérez, 69, was a beloved singer whose career spanned decades. His funeral was a poignant display of grief, with mourners releasing white balloons and singing his hit song, “Volveré.”

The cause of the roof collapse remains under investigation. Authorities are conducting a thorough inquiry into the incident, and the club’s owners are cooperating. The government has pledged a full investigation into the structural integrity of the building and the timing of its last inspection. The sheer number of casualties has overwhelmed hospitals and the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, where families anxiously wait for the release of their loved ones’ remains. Frustration is mounting due to delays in identifying and releasing bodies.

The tragedy has left the nation in shock, with widespread grief and calls for accountability. The high number of casualties and the prominence of some of the victims highlight the scale of this devastating event. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is expected to take significant time.

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