Dominican Nightclub Roof Collapse Claims 218 Lives

A roof collapse at a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has killed at least 218 people, authorities confirmed late Wednesday. Emergency crews have shifted from rescue operations to recovering bodies after exhausting all possibilities of finding more survivors.

The disaster struck the Jet Set Club during a packed merengue concert on Tuesday night. Families of the victims have gathered outside the wreckage for over two days, awaiting news of their loved ones.

Presidential spokesperson Homero Figueroa stated that the transition to body recovery was necessary after rescue teams—comprising more than 300 workers, including specialists from Puerto Rico and Israel—failed to locate any survivors since Tuesday afternoon. Sniffer dogs and heavy machinery were used to sift through collapsed concrete, steel beams, and twisted metal.

Grieving Families Seek Closure Amid Chaos

Distraught relatives held up photos of the missing, describing their last-known clothing in hopes of aiding identification. The National Institute of Forensic Pathology has so far released the names of 54 identified victims, but many remain unaccounted for.

Initial reports suggested 500 to 1,000 people were inside the venue at the time of the collapse. At least 200 others were injured, according to official estimates. The club, known for its high-profile clientele, hosted weekly merengue nights frequented by celebrities, athletes, and politicians. Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, who reportedly called Dominican President Luis Abinader from beneath the rubble before succumbing to her injuries.

Cause Under Investigation as Global Condolences Pour In

Authorities caution that it is too early to determine the cause of the collapse, though an investigation is expected once recovery efforts conclude. Questions linger about the safety inspections of the venue, with no immediate clarity on when it was last reviewed by officials.

The tragedy has drawn international sympathy, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, and Pope Francis offering condolences. Social media footage captured the moment sections of the roof gave way, sending concertgoers fleeing seconds before the full collapse.