In the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was the scene of a tragedy when its roof collapsed during a performance by renowned merenguero Rubby Perez.
The incident resulted in at least 58 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to preliminary reports from local authorities, who also said that the singer was trapped in the rubble and although it had initially been reported that he was rescued alive from the rubble, he has now been confirmed dead.
Details of the incident
The collapse of Jet Set’s roof occurred around 1:00 a.m., while Rubby Pérez was delighting the audience with his performance.
The nightclub, known for being an emblematic center of Dominican nightlife, was full of attendees enjoying the show.
Witnesses reported that, without warning, a significant portion of the roof collapsed, trapping numerous attendees under the debris.
Emergency response
Immediately after the collapse, rescue teams, firefighters and medical personnel were on the scene to assist in the rescue efforts and provide care to the injured.
The director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), Juan Manuel Méndez, reported that more than 150 people were taken to various medical centers for treatment.
Search operations continued for hours in the hope of finding survivors in the rubble.
Rubby Perez fought for his life
Perez was initially reported missing and his daughter, Zulinka Perez, expressed concern about his whereabouts.
He was later reported to have been found alive and taken to a medical center.
However, in the afternoon, authorities confirmed that the singer died without being rescued from the debris of the discotheque.
According to media reports, Rubby fought for more than 12 hours for his life and even sang and screamed and said he would “sing until he burst” to get him out of the place.
Rubby Pérez, born on March 8, 1956 in Haina, Dominican Republic, was an emblematic figure of merengue.
Throughout his career, he was part of groups such as Los Hijos del Rey and the Wilfrido Vargas orchestra, where he popularized hits such as “El Africano” and “Volveré”.
In 1987, she began her career as a soloist, standing out with songs such as “Buscando Tus Besos” and “Dame Veneno”.
The tragic death of Rubby Pérez has shocked the entertainment world and his fans, who mourn the loss of one of the most representative voices of Dominican merengue.
Official reactions
The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that all relief agencies were working tirelessly in the rescue efforts.
Abinader personally went to the scene to supervise operations and offer support to those affected.
The Jet Set discotheque, located on Independencia Avenue in Santo Domingo, is an establishment with more than five decades of history, known for hosting presentations of outstanding merengue artists and other musical genres.
It is considered an icon of nightlife in the Dominican capital and has been a meeting point for various personalities and music lovers.
Ongoing investigations
Buzzy
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the causes of the roof collapse.
Although definitive conclusions have not yet been drawn, possible structural failures or lack of proper maintenance are being considered as contributing factors.
The results of the investigation are expected to provide clarity on responsibilities and measures to be taken to prevent future incidents.
The news of the collapse has resonated deeply within the Hispanic community in the United States, especially among merengue and Rubby Perez fans.
Many have expressed their solidarity and condolences through social networks and media.
This tragic event underscores the importance of ensuring safety in entertainment venues and the need to maintain rigorous standards in the infrastructure of public facilities.
This unfortunate event has left a deep impression on the Dominican community and the music industry, highlighting the importance of safety in entertainment venues and the need for preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
