In a heartbreaking incident at the Jet Set nightclub, a popular venue in Santo Domingo, tragedy struck as a roof collapse during a concert left at least 184 people dead. Among the victims were Maximo Peña, a loyal patron who had frequented the nightclub every Monday for the past 30 years, his wife, and his sister. They had gathered to enjoy a performance by renowned Dominican singer Rubby Pérez, but their excitement turned to despair when the building's structure gave way.
Shailyn Peña, the 17-year-old daughter of Maximo, expressed her anguish while waiting outside the devastated nightclub. "I haven't heard any news about any of them," she said, reflecting the overwhelming uncertainty faced by families of the victims. Shailyn shared that her father had invited her mother to the concert, but she opted to stay home, a decision that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
As rescue workers scoured the debris, aided by Israeli and Mexican search teams equipped with advanced heat-seeking technology, Shailyn found some solace in knowing her cousin was among those risking their lives to find survivors. However, the emotional toll of waiting for updates was becoming unbearable. "I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out," she said, but was forced to remain patient as rescue efforts continued.
The authorities are working diligently to keep the public informed about the ongoing rescue operations. As the death toll continues to rise, grim updates are provided regularly, with teams emerging from the wreckage carrying bodies covered in blankets. Despite the disheartening reports, there are still moments of hope, as occasional survivors are rescued from the rubble, bolstering the spirits of anxious relatives.
Juan Manuel Mendez, the Director of the Emergency Operations Centre, reassured the public: "Nothing can be ruled out. We are going to go over every inch of the rubble here to give the families of those caught up in the disaster some kind of closure." In recognition of the tragedy, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, declared three days of national mourning.
Among the confirmed casualties are several well-known figures, including the beloved Rubby Pérez, and two former baseball stars, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, alongside a regional governor. The collapse has deeply affected not only the families of the victims but also the broader community of merengue music enthusiasts who gathered to celebrate at the nightclub.
As the search and rescue operation remains the primary focus, the investigation into the cause of the collapse is anticipated. Speculation has arisen regarding a fire that occurred at the nightclub two years ago, with many suggesting it may have compromised the building's structural integrity. Concerns about insufficient repairs or non-compliance with safety codes are also being voiced.
Antonio Espaillat, the owner of the Jet Set nightclub, released a video message expressing his condolences to the victims' families and assuring that he and his team are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations. As for Shailyn Peña, the family’s efforts to shield her younger stepsisters from the horrifying news were in vain, as they learned about their parents' fate from classmates at school. "They are terrified," Shailyn remarked, highlighting the far-reaching impact of this tragedy.
Shailyn's birthday, which falls on Thursday, looms ahead, but instead of celebrating with her father, stepmother, and aunt, she faces a day filled with uncertainty and heartache, waiting for news of her loved ones in what has become one of the worst tragedies in modern Dominican history.
