Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse death toll reaches 226

Nation mourns as Jet Set club disaster becomes Dominican Republic’s deadliest tragedy in decades.

This aerial view shows the cleared area following the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on April 10, 2025. Photo by Martin Bernetti/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The death toll in the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse has climbed to 226 as of Saturday, marking one of the worst disasters in the Caribbean nation’s history. Government officials confirmed that all the victims’ bodies have been returned to their families following an intense recovery and identification effort.

The tragedy unfolded early Tuesday morning at the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, where hundreds had gathered to enjoy a live performance by famed merengue artist Rubby Perez. The 69-year-old musician was among those who perished when the venue’s roof caved in unexpectedly, crushing much of the crowd inside.

Health Minister Victor Atallah initially reported that 221 people had died at the scene, with several more critically injured. By Saturday, four additional victims had succumbed to their injuries in hospital care, including a Costa Rican national, bringing the official death toll to 226.

A disaster that shook the nation

President Luis Abinader described the incident as the "darkest moment in recent national memory" and promised that the government would uncover the truth behind what caused the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse.

“This is not just a tragedy, it’s a profound injustice,” Abinader said at a national memorial service held Thursday at the National Theater. The event honored the memory of Rubby Perez and the hundreds of others lost in the disaster.

The president was joined by the singer’s daughter, Zulinka Perez, who narrowly escaped the incident. Hundreds attended the tribute, lighting candles, laying flowers, and singing Perez’s songs in his honor.

Rescue operations were launched within minutes of the collapse, with emergency services pulling 189 people alive from the rubble. Aerial drone footage of the site later revealed twisted steel beams and crumbled brick walls, evoking the aftermath of a major earthquake.

Local resident Arlenne Matos, 47, said she was at home when she heard what sounded like "an explosion" followed by terrified screams.

“People were shouting, ‘Let’s get out of here! I’m alive! Help me!’” Matos recalled. “It’s the greatest tragedy I could imagine in all my years.”

In the days following the Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse, medical authorities faced unprecedented challenges in handling the sheer volume of victims. Atallah acknowledged that “no pathology institute has the capacity to handle so many bodies so quickly.”

To expedite the process, the health ministry deployed twelve additional forensic pathologists to aid in the identification and return of remains. By early Saturday morning, officials confirmed that all bodies had been released to their families, although some relatives reported identification errors.

One grieving man, Julio Alberto Acosta, shared a heartbreaking account of being handed the wrong body.

“They gave us a bag and we said we had to open it to see if it was her, but it wasn’t… We want them to give us the right one so her mom can see her and go to bury her.”

The preliminary list of those who perished in the Dominican nightclub disaster includes people from several countries. Among the dead are a Haitian citizen, an Italian, two French nationals, and what the U.S. State Department described as “several” American citizens.

Also among the victims were two retired Major League Baseball players and a provincial governor. The tragedy has deeply shaken not only the Dominican Republic but the wider international community, many of whom have ties to the Caribbean nation.

An improvised vigil was held Friday night near the site of the collapse. Dozens of mourners gathered to light candles and leave tributes at a makeshift altar. One message read, “A painted flower for each angel up above. May their rest be eternal… This great injustice must be explained.”

Cars continued to stop near the scene, with many stepping out to bow their heads in silent prayer or offer black and white balloons as a sign of mourning.

National mourning and investigation launched

The government had initially declared three days of national mourning following the incident. On Friday, President Abinader extended the mourning period through Sunday and announced the formation of a special investigative commission.

The team includes national and international experts who will be tasked with determining exactly what caused the nightclub collapse in Santo Domingo. Engineers, structural specialists, and legal advisors have already been dispatched to examine what remains of the Jet Set club.

Abinader pledged transparency in the investigation, stating, “We will find out what happened, why it happened, and how it happened. And we will hold those responsible accountable.”

As the Dominican Republic grapples with this immense loss, questions about public safety, building codes, and emergency preparedness are coming into sharper focus. The Jet Set club had long been considered a landmark entertainment venue in Santo Domingo, often hosting some of the country’s biggest names in music.

Now, its collapse serves as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of structural neglect or oversight.

For many, the wounds from this disaster will take years to heal. Yet amid the heartbreak, stories of survival and community resilience offer a glimmer of hope. Families, neighbors, and strangers continue to come together, bound by a shared commitment to honor the lives lost and demand justice.

As the investigation proceeds, the Dominican Republic stands united in grief — and in determination to ensure that a tragedy of this scale never happens again.