SANTO DOMINGO.- As of 5:30 am on April 8, 2025, 12 people had been counted dead during the events that occurred early Tuesday morning, when part of the roof of the emblematic Jet Set nightclub, located in the El Portal sector, National District, collapsed.
Major General Juan Manuel Méndez García, director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), is leading the joint operation with various state agencies, where by 5:30 am, 73 people had also been transferred to various health centers in the Dominican capital.
“Unfortunately, so far 12 bodies have been recovered,” Méndez told the media, adding that according to the videos there were many people at the scene at the time of the incident, although the exact number was not specified.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m., while Rubby Pérez, a prominent Dominican musician, was entertaining at the traditional Monday party at the establishment that has been providing entertainment to Dominicans for over 50 years.
“We have already carried out 70 ambulance transfers. This doesn't mean 70 people, but rather that sometimes, for the sake of speed, two or three people travel in each ambulance to try to preserve their lives. We continue working with Public Works, Civil Defense, the fire department, and the Armed Forces in the search for collapsed structures. We are still using heavy equipment,” declared Méndez García, who a few minutes later gave another statement reporting that the number of transfers had risen to 73.
He said he has instructions from the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, to expedite the process to preserve as many people as possible, and that they therefore have all the necessary equipment, both public and private, for the rescue.
A story spanning more than 50 years
In 2015, the Jet Set nightclub underwent a renovation process, which is why it remained closed for more than three weeks.
According to media reports, the facility was remodeled, with the installation of a first-generation lighting system, sound system, furniture and stage, although it does not mention the structure.
