International
Singer, 2 ex-MLB players among 113 killed in nightclub collapse
By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor/Reporter), Shea Taylor (Producer), Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor)
- A roof collapse in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has killed at least 113 people and injured over 155 during a merengue concert. About 300 people filled the venue when the roof fell.
- Rescue crews continue their search for survivors, with firefighters removing concrete and debris.
- The collapse killed several prominent names, including former MLB players and a local politician.
Full Story
Rescue crews in the Dominican Republic continue to search for survivors after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed Tuesday, April 8, during a merengue concert. Local authorities confirmed early Wednesday morning, April 9, that the collapse killed at least 113 people and injured more than 160 others.
Media Landscape
See how news outlets across the political spectrum are covering this story. Learn more
Left 31%
Center 48%
Right 20%
Bias Summary
- A roof collapsed at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, killing at least 113 people, including former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, during a concert by singer Rubby Perez.
- Octavio Dotel was found alive by rescue crews but later died at the hospital, while Tony Blanco's death was confirmed by Major League Baseball.
- The Dominican Republic's president visited the site and declared three days of national mourning due to the tragedy.
- On April 8, 2025, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a concert.
- The nightclub, formerly a movie theater, had been in operation for over 50 years.
- Rescuers searched through fallen debris as eyewitnesses described a blackout before the roof caved in.
- Officials confirmed the death toll reached at least 113, and Juan Manuel Méndez stated, "Search and rescue operations remain ongoing."
- President Abinader declared three days of mourning as a formal investigation into the cause of the collapse began.
- At least 113 people have died, and over 160 were injured after the roof fell at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday, authorities reported.
- Rescue crews are searching for survivors in the rubble, with sounds still being heard in the debris.
- Rescue agencies are working tirelessly to assist those affected by the tragedy.
- Rescue efforts continue, with officials prioritizing areas where sounds were heard in the rubble.
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
emphasized the human toll, using emotionally charged language like “dead” and “horror accident” while also underscoring the ongoing rescue efforts and the possibility of finding more survivors.
Media outlets in the center
adopted a more detached tone, focusing on factual details such as the building’s history and potential structural issues and using terms like “frantic” and “anxious” to describe the scene.
Media outlets on the right
highlighted the involvement of celebrities like Octavio Dotel, framing him as a “champion” and focusing on his extraction “from rubble,” while also echoing the left’s emphasis on the tragedy’s “devastating” impact but de-emphasizing the ongoing rescue efforts.
Report an issue with this comparison
Bias Distribution
Click to close
Click to close
Click to close
Click to close
Untracked Bias
Click to close
467 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
467
Leaning Left
74
Center
114
Leaning Right
47
Last Updated
1 week ago
Bias Distribution Powered by Ground News™
Roughly 300 people were inside the Santo Domingo venue when the roof gave way. Video shared on social media showed lights swaying before the ceiling fell.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the collapse. Emergency responders said they’re focusing on three priority zones where they believe victims may be trapped.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Casualties include former athletes, public officials
Among the victims were former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco, according to confirmations from the Dominican Sports Ministry and Major League Baseball. Dotel was reportedly rescued alive but died en route to a hospital. Blanco’s death was confirmed Tuesday morning.
Also killed was Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of All-Star player Nelson Cruz. According to AP reporting, she called President Luis Abinader shortly before her death to report she was trapped.
The incident occurred during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra. Pérez’s manager confirmed that the singer was among those killed. The band’s manager confirmed that the group’s saxophonist also died.
Ongoing response and unanswered questions
More than 20 agencies have been involved in recovery operations, according to Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the country’s Emergency Operations Center. Rescue workers and firefighters spent the night removing debris and instructing crowds to remain quiet to listen for survivors.
The government established a temporary morgue nearby, and local hospitals received dozens of patients. Blood donation centers in Santo Domingo reported long wait times as residents rushed to help.
Abinader declared three days of national mourning and visited the site Tuesday with First Lady Raquel Arbaje. Officials from the Ministry of Public Works have not publicly commented on the building’s inspection history, and the nightclub’s ownership said it is cooperating with investigators.
Get up to speed on the stories leading the day every weekday morning. Sign up for the newsletter today!
Learn more about our emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
Jet Set’s historic legacy
Jet Set, founded in 1973, is one of the Dominican Republic’s most well-known music venues. Known for its “Jet Set Mondays,” the nightclub has hosted performances by major local and international artists for decades. The building had undergone renovations in 2010 and 2015 and was reportedly struck by lightning in 2023, according to local newspaper Listín Diario.
Authorities have not said when rescue operations will conclude. Investigators are expected to release a preliminary report once the immediate search and recovery phase is complete.
Editor’s note: Straight Arrow News previously reported that the collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 98 people. Authorities updated that number to at least 113 on Wednesday morning, April 9.
[craig nigrelli]
IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — RESCUE WORKERS CONTINUE THEIR FRANTIC SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS AFTER THE ROOF OF AN ICONIC NIGHTCLUB COLLAPSED EARLY TUESDAY, KILLING AT LEAST 98 PEOPLE AND INJURING MORE THAN ONE-HUNDRED others.
LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAY about 300 PEOPLE WERE INSIDE THE JET SET NIGHTCLUB IN THE CAPITAL OF SANTO DOMINGO WHEN THE ROOF CAME DOWN.
THE CATASTROPHE HAPPENED DURING A PERFORMANCE OF MERENGUE ARTIST RUBBY PÉREZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA.
PÉREZ’S MANAGER CONFIRMS THE SINGER WAS AMONG THOSE KILLED.
ALSO AMONG THE VICTIMS — TWO FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS,
INCLUDING FORMER PITCHER OCTAVIO DOTEL…
AND TONY BLANCO — WHO WAS ALSO THE FATHER OF CURRENT PITTSBURGH PIRATES PROSPECT TONY BLANCO JR.
Media Landscape
See how news outlets across the political spectrum are covering this story. Learn more
Left 31%
Center 48%
Right 20%
Bias Summary
- A roof collapsed at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, killing at least 113 people, including former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, during a concert by singer Rubby Perez.
- Octavio Dotel was found alive by rescue crews but later died at the hospital, while Tony Blanco's death was confirmed by Major League Baseball.
- The Dominican Republic's president visited the site and declared three days of national mourning due to the tragedy.
- On April 8, 2025, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a concert.
- The nightclub, formerly a movie theater, had been in operation for over 50 years.
- Rescuers searched through fallen debris as eyewitnesses described a blackout before the roof caved in.
- Officials confirmed the death toll reached at least 113, and Juan Manuel Méndez stated, "Search and rescue operations remain ongoing."
- President Abinader declared three days of mourning as a formal investigation into the cause of the collapse began.
- At least 113 people have died, and over 160 were injured after the roof fell at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday, authorities reported.
- Rescue crews are searching for survivors in the rubble, with sounds still being heard in the debris.
- Rescue agencies are working tirelessly to assist those affected by the tragedy.
- Rescue efforts continue, with officials prioritizing areas where sounds were heard in the rubble.
Bias Comparison
Media outlets on the left
emphasized the human toll, using emotionally charged language like “dead” and “horror accident” while also underscoring the ongoing rescue efforts and the possibility of finding more survivors.
Media outlets in the center
adopted a more detached tone, focusing on factual details such as the building’s history and potential structural issues and using terms like “frantic” and “anxious” to describe the scene.
Media outlets on the right
highlighted the involvement of celebrities like Octavio Dotel, framing him as a “champion” and focusing on his extraction “from rubble,” while also echoing the left’s emphasis on the tragedy’s “devastating” impact but de-emphasizing the ongoing rescue efforts.
Report an issue with this comparison
Bias Distribution
Click to close
Click to close
Click to close
Click to close
Untracked Bias
Click to close
467 other sources covering this story
Total News Sources
467
Leaning Left
74
Center
114
Leaning Right
47
Last Updated
1 week ago
Bias Distribution Powered by Ground News™
Straight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
MOST POPULAR
-
Abrego Garcia Family/Handout via REUTERS
Trump admin releases new documents on wrongly deported man
Watch 11:1814 hrs ago -
Luis Acosta/AFP via Getty Images
Economic bust follows drop in migration through Darien Gap: AP
Watch 2:5323 hrs ago -
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Trump admin eyeing closure of IRS Direct File program: Report
Watch 14:1323 hrs ago -
Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
MLB power rankings: The NL West dominates the first few weeks
Watch 4:13Yesterday
Politics
Getty Images
Tech
CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
