Dominican Republic Jet Set nightclub disaster: Roof collapses killing 45 including celebrities, governor

At least 45 people have died and 160 have been injured following a tragic incident at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic, with celebrities, athletes and politicians among those inside at the time.

The roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in the country’s capital Santo Domingo, collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday during a merengue concert.

Rescue crews raced to the scene and continued to search for survivors in the rubble for more than 12 hours after the incident.

It’s not yet clear what caused the collapse, which happened during the concert of popular singer Rubby Pérez, who was also injured during the collapse.

His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group’s saxophonist.

“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake.

President Luis Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “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.

Mr Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces.

He did not speak to reporters.

Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, who is also the sister of Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz died after being taken to hospital.

First Lady Raquel Abraje told reporters on the scene that Cruz had called the president at 12.49am saying she was trapped and that the roof has collapsed.

“This is too great a tragedy,” Ms Abraje said.

Two former Major League Baseball players were also victims of the tragedy.

MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was inside the nightclub when it collapsed and was taken to hospital, but later died from his injuries.

The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic confirmed Dotel’s death.

A second MLB star Tony Blanco has been confirmed as another victim. He played for the Washington Nationals in 2005 before then going on to play eight years in Japan in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Hours after the collapse an official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space.

“You have to co-operate with authorities, please,” he said.

“We are removing people.”

At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones.

It was not immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse.

- With Reuters