In the wake of the nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, the county executives of Westchester and Rockland issued statements expressing concern for victims of the tragedy and the survivors.
“Westchester County is heartbroken by the devastating tragedy that unfolded at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where lives were lost and many were injured following a catastrophic roof collapse during a concert,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families grieving unimaginable loss, and with those still searching for missing loved ones. We are also sending support to the survivors navigating both physical and emotional trauma, and to the first responders and search crews working tirelessly in hopes of finding more survivors.
“Here in Westchester, we stand in solidarity with our Dominican brothers and sisters as they process this unspeakable tragedy. We know many of you want to help. We are currently identifying trusted charities that are supporting on-the-ground relief efforts, and we will share those resources with you as soon as possible.”
Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “Our hearts break for the 113 individuals and counting who tragically lost their lives when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends impacted by the tragedy, including some of our own residents as Rockland has a very large Hispanic population including many from the Dominican Republic.
“We stand in solidarity with our Dominican community members, offering our support and prayers as they navigate this difficult time. Together, we will mourn, remember, and support one another through this tragedy.”
The death toll in the collapse rose to 218 on Thursday morning.
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Here is the latest story from CNN Newsource by Jessica Hasbun, Verónica Calderón and Michael Rios.
Rescue workers are frantically searching the rubble after the roof of an iconic Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed early Tuesday.
At least 300 people were inside Jet Set nightclub, in the capital of Santo Domingo, when the roof collapsed around 1 a.m. during a performance of merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra, authorities said. Pérez’s body was recovered from the scene on Wednesday morning, emergency services said.
Two former Major League Baseball players, were killed, according to Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center, in an update on Wednesday.
Méndez said 145 people who had been rescued on Tuesday were “alive.” It remains unclear how many people remain buried under the rubble.
The cause of the collapse is not yet known.
Desperate families were seen outside the destroyed venue on Wednesday, hoping that their loved ones will be rescued from the rubble.
Crews have been working tirelessly since Tuesday to find signs of life. But the search has strained some first responders – both physically and mentally.
“The past two days have been difficult because when people are trapped, you’re not feeling well mentally,” one responder told CNN.
Aerial footage from local news outlets on Tuesday morning showed the venue with a wide, gaping hole in the middle of the building where the audience would have been located during the performance.
Footage from inside the venue appears to show the moment the crisis unfolded.
One video shows the band performing while someone near the stage points out that something had fallen in the back of the Jet Set club. Moments later, pendant lights suspended from the ceiling start to collapse, along with the entire roof overhead. Screams and crashing sounds can be heard for a few seconds before the video goes dark.
At least one US citizen and an unspecified number of US residents died in the tragic event, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X Wednesday.
Former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel was among those killed on Tuesday, according to Méndez and Dotel’s foundation. He died on the way to the hospital after being rescued alive from the rubble, Méndez told CNN.
Dotel’s education academy, Colegio Sabiduría y Baluarte, mourned him in a statement, saying he leaves “an indelible mark on all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”
Another former major leaguer, Tony Blanco, also died after the collapse, MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred and the Dominican Sports Ministry said.
“We share in their grief with their family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal rest,” the ministry said of Blanco in a statement.
Also among the dead was Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province, Dominican President Luis Abinader said. Cruz was related to MLB all-star Nelson Cruz, according a statement from his family mourning her death.
Meanwhile, the son of Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella is among the missing, Méndez added.
Survivors and responders speak out
Pérez’s daughter Zulinka survived the collapse thanks in part to her husband, she told reporters on Tuesday. She said her husband shielded her with his body and told her to get out immediately so their child “won’t be left alone.” Her husband also made it out but suffered a broken leg, she said.
Almost immediately after the roof caved in, Governor Cruz called President Abinader – while she was trapped under the rubble – to alert him of the tragedy, according to First Lady Raquel Arbaje.
“The president started mobilizing all the organizations” to send help right after the call, she said.
Another survivor, Jenniré Mena of Venezuela, told CNN that she was at the club celebrating her 40th birthday with two of her friends. One of them died and the other got trapped under the rubble with Jenniré. For hours, they comforted each other by holding hands until they were rescued around 5 a.m.
“I’m grateful to be alive, feeling a lot of pain, but grateful to have the opportunity to feel this pain,” she said.
First responders are also providing health and emotional support services for grieving family members still searching for their loved ones, Rosmery Lebron of the Dominican Red Cross told CNN.
Search efforts have also taken a mental toll on rescue workers.
“You hear people who are trapped, screaming for help – it’s a bit difficult,” said Daniel Heredia, a member of the Dominican Civil Protection Service, who’s all too familiar with loss and pain. He lost a leg after an injury 15 years ago, and now, using a prosthetic leg, he’s leading a rescue team to search for survivors.
Personnel from at least 22 public institutions are at the site helping with response efforts, officials said. Nine rescue workers from Israel and 12 from Puerto Rico have arrived to help, Méndez said Wednesday.
Three days of mourning
Abinader has declared three days of mourning following the disaster. He traveled to the nightclub later Tuesday morning with his First Lady Arbaje to express their condolences to families of the victims.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” Abinader wrote on X. “All rescue agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
Carolina Mejía de Garrigó, the city’s mayor, said Santo Domingo was waking “to a terrible tragedy,” offering her condolences to families “still waiting for news of their loved ones.”
The Jet Set nightclub is one of the Caribbean nation’s most famous venues, and its Monday night events are especially well attended.
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