On 8 April 2025, the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, collapsed during a live performance by merengue musician Rubby Pérez. The structural failure occurred at approximately 12:44 a.m. AST, resulting in 232 fatalities and 225 injuries, while 189 were rescued from the rubble alive.[2][3][4] It is one of the deadliest non-natural disasters in the country's history.[5]
The building was opened as a movie theater in 1973. It was converted into the Jet Set nightclub in 1994, and underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015. Featuring two-story high ceilings over an expansive, open plan dance floor able to host 1,000 standing and 700 seated visitors, the building was equipped with large air conditioners and electric generators on the rooftop, and large stage lighting and loudspeakers in the ceiling.[6]
In 2023, it caught fire after lightning struck a generator on the roof, but was deemed structurally safe by firefighters.[7][8][6] Civil engineers and architects have indicated that the roof was inadequately supported by narrow columns on the sides and none in the center, and could have collapsed under its own weight due to fire-weakened concrete and the heavy machinery it was carrying.[6]
The Jet Set nightclub played live dance music on Monday nights, which attracted well-known people.[9][10] At the time of the collapse, the nightclub was hosting a concert by merengue musician Rubby Pérez along with hundreds of spectators.[10]
The collapse occurred on 8 April 2025, at 12:44 a.m. AST.[11] At that time, there were between 500 and 1,000 people in the club.[12] Over 200 died in the collapse.[13][14]
According to eyewitness accounts, the roof gave way without warning roughly one hour into the musical performance. The cause of the structural failure remains undetermined, though investigators began examining the site once rescue operations permitted.[13][15] A musician playing alongside Rubby Pérez said that the venue was full at the time of collapse, and that he initially believed an earthquake had occurred.[14] First Lady of the Dominican Republic Raquel Arbaje reported that trapped governor of Monte Cristi Province Nelsy Cruz telephoned President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m., shortly after the collapse.[16]