Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic after the roof collapsed on April 8, 2025. Photo:
Policía Nacional República Dominicana
At least 18 people have died and over 120 have been transferred to the hospital after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, April 8.
According to the BBC and The Guardian, the collapse took place in the early hours of Tuesday during popular singer Rubby Pérez’s concert at the Jet Set in Santo Domingo.
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Rubby Pérez for comment.
The National Police Dominican Republic confirmed in an Instagram update that 18 people had died in the incident, while 121 people have been taken to the hospital.
“During the press conference, it was reported that so far 121 transfers have been made to different hospital centers in the National District and unfortunately it is confirmed that 18 people have died as a result of the collapse at the Jet Set entertainment center,” police wrote in the caption of the post.
“Authorities maintain inter-agency coordination and continue to work intensively in search, rescue and health care, ensuring transparency in the information provided to family members and citizens,” they added.
Many more are said to be injured, with rescue workers still attempting to free people from the rubble, according to the BBC.
Jet Set in Santo Domingo after the roof collapse on April 8, 2025. Policía Nacional República Dominicana
Authorities also shared footage of first responders’ search and rescue efforts amid the devastation.
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According to the BBC, the director of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, told the outlet that ambulances have made over 100 trips to nearby hospitals, while carrying more than one patient at times.
Local media outlet El Caribe also reported that Dominican Republic President, Luis Abinader, arrived at the Jet Set nightclub after the incident on Tuesday.
An aerial view of people gathering outside the Jet Set nightclub after the incident on April 8, 2025. Prensa Servicio 911/AFP via Getty
“Since last night, we have been following this tragedy minute by minute to try to ensure that all the government’s emergency resources and institutions are available, as they have been,” he said, per a translation from Spanish. “However, we still have a long way to go, and we have faith in God that we will rescue more people alive from these ruins.”
“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, per a translation.
She added, “Our National District Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee is active and in permanent session. We will continue to make every effort and remain united in prayer.”
