By Helmuth Rosales Share full article Rescue workers standing at the Jet Set nightclub on Thursday after clearing much of the debris from the collapsed roof one concertgoer pointed toward the ceiling above the dance floor saying that something appeared to be falling the crowd began to thin as debris fell from a hole in the ceiling Some in the crowd glanced upward as they moved away Less than a second before the sudden collapse The lighting rig was located centrally in the club’s layout a chandelier closer to the outer walls of the club fell Screams could be heard as the whole of the roof collapsed The Jet Set was a nightlife staple in Santo Domingo that was particularly known for its live music on Monday nights. Recovery efforts at the club ended on Thursday, after 189 people were rescued from the rubble. Rescue workers undergoing recovery efforts on Wednesday amid the debris created by the Jet Set’s collapsed roof. Share full articleMcKinnon de Kuyper contributed reporting. athletes and other prominent figures.The son of the Dominican minister of public works and communications Eduardo Estrella was also found among the deceased on Wednesday authorities said.Another victim was Nelsy Cruz the governor of the northern Monte Cristi province Cruz was the sister of former baseball player Nelson Cruz a seven-time MLB All-Star.Former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco also died in the collapse Dotel died en route to a local hospital after being pulled from the debris a spokesman for the nation's sports ministry said.Dotel debuted for the New York Mets in 1999 and played until 2013 for more than a dozen teams."Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic," Carlos Mendoza said at a press conference.Relatives were receiving psychological support and the cause of the roof collapse remained under investigation officials said.Reporting by Paul Mathiasen and Erika Santelices in Santo Domingo; Writing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez Natalia Siniawski and Isabel Teles; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Santo Domingo roof collapse for Tuesday, April 8. For the latest news on the Jet Set roof collapse, visit USA TODAY's story for Wednesday, April 9 The death toll of a roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic that claimed the lives of politicians and former athletes climbed to 113 on Wednesday as rescue workers desperately searched to find survivors More than 155 people were taken to hospitals via ambulance after the catastrophic incident at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, according to the Dominican Republic National Police Search and rescue operations to find people in the rubble continued Wednesday in the National District In an update Wednesday Director of the Emergency Operations Center Juan Manuel Méndez said the death toll climbed to 113 Relatives were receiving psychological support and the cause of the roof collapse remained under investigation "The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay," said a statement from Jet Set our prayers are with each of the affected families President Luis Abinader traveled to the site Tuesday to supervise the rescue efforts and offer his condolences to the victims, footage shared by police shows. The president also declared three national days of mourning in the country and called for flags to be flown at half-mast Families of the victims gathered near the Jet Set nightclub seeking information about their loved ones "I still have family members that are still in the rubble and we don't know what happened to them," Pedro Martinez said in a video shared on his Instagram account in the evening Start your day informed: Sign up for USA TODAY's Daily Briefing newsletter Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez performed at the club Monday night, Instagram posts from the club showed Officials confirmed Wednesday that Pérez's body was found in the rubble The singer's manager, Enrique Paulino, told reporters at the scene that the roof collapsed almost an hour after the performance began, and the group’s saxophonist was killed, The Associated Press reported USA TODAY has reached out to Paulino for comment Pérez's brother is a former Major League Baseball player and other former players were in the crowd before the collapse all the big acts go," Kinzer told USA TODAY of Jet Set Crowds grew outside of the club as people tried to search for their own friends and relatives in the destruction Several of those loved ones told news outlets they were stunned and praying in the face of the tragedy Manuel Olivo Ortiz, whose son went to the nightclub but who had not returned home as of Tuesday afternoon, told the AP as he waited outside the club "We’re holding on only to God." officials were heard reading the names of survivors out loud People gathered around and yelled the names of their loved ones still missing and asked about their whereabouts the godmother of a 22-year-old woman who also went to the club told the AP she was also seeking any update on Tuesday Octavio Dotel was a Santo Domingo native who played for 13 MLB teams over 15 seasons after debuting with the New York Mets in 1999 He died Tuesday at the age of 51 from injuries sustained when the roof collapsed After his MLB debut, Dotel was traded to the Houston Astros where he spent five years developing into one of the National League's top setup men He continued to pitch effectively into his late 30s finally winning a World Series ring with the 2011 St He returned to the World Series the following season with the Detroit Tigers pitching five scoreless innings over six postseason appearances before the Tigers fell to the San Francisco Giants in the Fall Classic left the club not long before the roof collapsed Kinzer said he also represents former MLB player Neifi Pérez Kinzer said he's been trying to contact Neifi Pérez's brother and other players to find out who else was at the club and whether they were injured The collapse also claimed the life of former major league player Tony Blanco who appeared in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005 He also played in minor league baseball in the U.S The San Juan de la Maguana native was also the father of Tony Blanco Jr. who is a prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates MLB commissioner Rob Manfred responded to the tragedy in a statement "Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo," Manfred said "The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today." Abinader said the dead included Nelsy Cruz sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz and governor of the northern Monte Cristi province Nelson Cruz said on social media that the remains of his sister will be displayed at the Provincial Government of Montecristi and a funeral will be held later Tuesday "Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones," Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó said in a statement on X. Contributing: Steve Gardner and Jeanine Santucci Crews search for survivors after more than 160 injured at Jet Set in Santo Domingo More than 70 people have died and about 160 others injured in the Dominican capital early on Tuesday after the roof collapsed at a nightclub where politicians athletes and others were attending a merengue concert The death toll reached 79 by the late evening as crews continued to search for survivors in the rubble at the one-storey Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo director of the Center of Emergency Operations “We presume that many of them are still alive and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” he said Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed on to patrons rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from the debris firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and sawed planks of wood using them to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills filled the air Méndez said rescue crews were prioritising three areas in the club: “We’re hearing some sounds.” the governor of the north-western province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz She had called President Luis Abinader at 12.49am saying she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed Officials said Cruz died later at the hospital “This is too great a tragedy,” Arbaje said in a broken voice The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel died Officials had earlier rescued Dotel from the debris and taken him to a hospital the injured included legislator Bray Vargas and merengue singer Rubby Pérez who was performing when the roof collapsed told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight with the roof collapsing almost an hour later I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said adding that he initially thought it was an earthquake It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse Jet Set issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities “The loss of human life leaves us in a state of deep pain and dismay,” it said whose son attended the concert but did not return home was among those anxiously waiting outside the club which is known for its traditional parties where renowned national and international artists perform “We’re holding on only to God,” Olivo said firm in her belief that Batista would be pulled out alive President Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he wrote Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family some with tears streaming down their faces “We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive,” he told reporters An official with a megaphone stood outside the club imploring the large crowd that had gathered to search for friends and relatives to give ambulances space Rescuers work at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub. Photograph: Erika Santelices/ReutersAt one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones. Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology, which projected pictures of the victims so their loved ones could identify them. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Crews continue searching for potential survivors in the rubble after a roof fell at a nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday. People hold up photos of their relatives while waiting to identify them at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology after the roof collapsed at Jet Set nightclub during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling and people starting to move away seconds before the entire roof collapses onto them. Rescue workers stand at site of the Jet Set nightclub days after its roof collapsed during a concert, killing more than 200 people in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) Authorities say it’s too early to determine the cause of the disaster. Firefighters removed slabs of broken concrete and created makeshift planks in an effort to reach survivors buried under the debris. Officials say 189 survivors were rescued from the rubble. It’s unclear how often government officials inspect buildings in the Dominican Republic or when Jet Set was last inspected. A Ministry of Public Works spokesperson referred The Associated Press to the mayor’s office for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office could not be reached. Jet Set’s owners, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, were also not reachable for comment. Rescue workers carry a person pulled from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said he had been rescued. But Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said his body was found early Wednesday. The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, said the group’s saxophonist also died. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The hat and sunglasses of Dominican singer Rubby Perez, who died in the roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub during his merengue concert, sit on his casket during his wake at the Eduardo Brito National Theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) Dominicans who wanted to help the injured donated more than 54 gallons (429 pints) of blood, authorities said. The legendary club in southern Santo Domingo has operated for nearly five decades, with “Jet Set Mondays” featuring local and international merengue artists. The club and restaurant, which opened in 1973, was the most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic, according to the newspaper Listín Diario. It later relocated and celebrated its first anniversary at the new location with merengue and salsa icon Johnny Ventura. The club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and it was struck by lightning in 2023, according to the newspaper. General admission tickets for Monday’s concert with Rubby Pérez were $32, while the VIP ones were $40, according to the club’s website. A rescue worker comforts a woman during the search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed two nights prior during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) The government ended the search for survivors and victims on Thursday, announcing that crews worked for 53 hours nonstop since arriving at the scene. More than 20 people remained hospitalized as of Thursday evening, with eight of them in critical condition, doctors said. An in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings or commented on what might have caused it. Relatives waited at the nation’s forensics institute as it worked to identify victims, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. Many of those injured were in critical or serious condition with broken bones. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker pulled nearly 200 survivors from the building in the hours following the disaster.Juan Manuel Mendez head of the country's emergency operations center (COE) "This is the hardest task I've had in my 20 years of leading the COE," breaking down in tears.After recovery efforts ended the families of those missing left the area surrounding the nightclub where they had stood for days embracing each other.Perez was among those killed in the crush.Dominican President Luis Abinader attended his funeral on Thursday with a public memorial service for him set to follow later in the day.Pitcher Octavio Dotel and slugger Tony Blanco also died.Reporting by Paul Mathiasen; Writing by Kylie Madry and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Joe Bavier and Christian Schmollinger Crews continue searching for potential survivors in the rubble after a roof fell at a nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at the one-story Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo “We continue clearing debris and searching for people,” he said on Tuesday night “We’re going to search tirelessly for people.” At least 27 people died and more than 160 were injured after a roof fell at a nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday Rescue workers carry a person pulled from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo Nearly 12 hours after the top of the nightclub collapsed onto patrons rescue crews were still pulling out survivors from under the debris shushing those around them so they could listen for faint cries for help Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and used sawed pieces of wood as planks to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air Méndez said rescue crews were prioritizing three areas in the club: “We’re hearing some sounds.” The roof of an iconic nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic collapsed nearly an hour after a merengue concert killing at least 58 people and injuring at least 160 “This is too great a tragedy,” Abraje said those still looking for their family and friends gathered around a man playing a guitar outside the club as they sang hymns Officials said at least 160 people were injured but Méndez said later Tuesday that wasn’t true He said rescue crews were still looking for Pérez A woman stands outside the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse or when the Jet Set building was last inspected The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities and noted that the owner was out of the country and returned late Tuesday “There are no words to express the pain this event has caused What happened has been devastating for everyone,” he said A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor’s office A spokesperson for the mayor’s office did not respond to a message for comment Relatives cry while waiting for news of loved ones outside the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo Prosecutor Rosalba Ramos told TV station CDN that while “everyone wants to know” what happened authorities were still focused on finding survivors They set up a makeshift morgue near the club while more than 120 people lined up to donate blood at two different centers was among those anxiously waiting outside the club known for its traditional Monday parties where renowned national and international artists performed A soldier hydrates while rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo At one hospital where the injured were taken an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones dozens of people gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology which shared pictures of the victims so their loved ones could identify them A police officer reacts during the search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo Search autocomplete is currently not responding Massachusetts tenants now have the right to seal their eviction records in certain types of cases removing a significant barrier to housing access Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem are pleased to share that the new eviction record sealing pr.. 2025 - Estabilidad de Vivienda: Mayo/Junio our region’s 'beep baseball' team  Beep Baseball is baseball for the blind and visually impaired Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the Salem Fire Department urge all members of the Salem community to take extra safety precautions to help protect the city With dry conditions affecting the Salem area the risk of wildfires and grass fires is high Please note that the Mayor’s Office will be working offsite at the next run of the “Mobile Mayor’s Office” – an occasional opportunity for us to serve the community from various neighborhoods throughout th.. Mayor Dominick Pangallo invites older and/or homebound residents of the City of Salem to register for the CONFIRM OK Telephone Reassurance Program  Residents should sign up for this FREE program if they live alone and would like a daily computer.. we have seen two episodes of violence in Salem – an early morning shooting and now this tragic double homicide While both instances were acts of violence perpetrated between parties known to one another Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem will celebrate National Arbor Day on Monday with the planting of two American basswood trees at the Saltonstall Elementary School on Lafayette Street.  we celebrate our planet and our shared commitment to environmental stewardship While so many of us are working hard toward this mission every single day today offers a special opportunity to reflect on our responsibilities as ste.. Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem in partnership with Waste Management (the city's solid waste and recycling service provider) are excited to announce this year’s scholarship program Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem invite the community to take part in Drive Electric Earth Month and attend this year’s upcoming North Shore Electric Vehicle Expo: Salem Kicks Gas WHAT: North Shore electric vehicle drivers and enthu.. As part of the City of Salem’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion Mayor Dominick Pangallo is pleased to announce that 14 municipal employees have successfully completed an advanced professional development workshop series focused on lan.. MA invites you to join the fun at this year’s Artists’ Row Season Kick-Off Event with their opening weekend market & hands-on artmaking workshops 2025 welcomes an all-new array of artists and artisans .. Don’t throw away your broken item; bring it to the Repair Café SalemRecycles is hosting a Repair Café on Saturday 2025 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Community Life Center at 401 Bridge St Mayor Dominick Pangallo is pleased to announce that the City of Salem is extending a popular composting incentive program offering starter kits to new subscribers with Black Earth Compost The City of Salem is once again preparing to welcome visitors from its sister city  The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is seeking host families to volunteer for this year’s important cultural exchange Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem invites the community to come downtown and swing by Charlotte Forten Park at 289 Derby Street a life-size bronze memorial in honor of Cha.. el techo del club nocturno Jet Set en Santo Domingo se derrumbó causando la muerte de al menos 113 personas y atrapando muchos otras Assessing Department is conduction the State mandated Cyclical Inspections The City of Salem will be holding elections this year for the following City Government Offices:Mayor (4-year term)Councillor-At-Large (2-year term)Ward Councillor (Wards 1-7) (2-year term)School Committee (4-year term) * Types of affordable and subsidized housing Nota de prensa del Alcalde Pangallo sobre la tragedia en Santo DomingoEn la madrugada de martes our region’s 'beep baseball' team  Beep Baseball is baseball for the blind and visually impaired  Boston Strong is a mixed ages te.. Please note that the Mayor’s Office will be working offsite at the next run of the “Mobile Mayor’s Office” – an occasional opportunity for us to serve the community from various neighborhoods throughout th..  Residents should sign up for this FREE program if they live alone and would like a daily computer.. with the planting of two American basswood trees at the Saltonstall Elementary School on Lafayette Street.  in partnership with Waste Management (the city's solid waste and recycling service provider) are excited to announce this year’s scholarship program Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem invite the community to take part in Drive Electric Earth Month and attend this year’s upcoming North Shore Electric Vehicle Expo: Salem Kicks Gas As part of the City of Salem’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion MA invites you to join the fun at this year’s Artists’ Row Season Kick-Off Event with their opening weekend market & hands-on artmaking workshops Don’t throw away your broken item; bring it to the Repair Café SalemRecycles is hosting a Repair Café on Saturday  The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is seeking host families to volunteer for this year’s important cultural exchange Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem this morning unveiled the latest addition to the City’s Department of Public Services fleet  Outside Saltonstall Elementary School the kindergarteners who submitted the name for consideration were o.. The schedule for completion of the Salem Willows Phase II Signature Park project has been impacted by several factors most substantially archeological investigations and related reporting required by the state because of the investigations The City of Salem is issuing a water use advisory  The City of Salem’s water supply is provided by the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board (SBWSB) SBWSB is required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) through the Water.. with over 500 confirmed cases reported across 19 states as of early April 2025 This highly contagious virus can cause serious health co.. Mayor Dominick Pangallo announces that the Salem Board of Health is sponsoring a Diaper Drive benefiting Salem families during the month of April.  Did you know 1 in 2 families in America struggle to afford diapers for their children?   Explore & Enroll in Salem Summer Programs through The Salem Children’s Alliance  will be hosting a Summer Program Fair to help Salem families learn about local Summer camps The Second Corps Cadets Veterans Association  the City of Salem "The Birthplace of the National Guard of the United States" A public information session in early April 2025 will serve as the first opportunity for community members to learn about the exciting plans for Salem’s quadricentennial celebrations throughout 2026 The City of Salem is seeking to hear from the public about trails along Highland Ave and Highland Ave crossings via this public survey This survey provides opportunity for community members to share their feedback on the existing trail networks in the Hi.. Public Hearing and Availability of Draft 5-Year Consolidated Plan and FY2026 Action Plan and an amendment to the Community Participation Plan Notice is hereby given that the City of Salem Department of Planning and Communit.. Mayor Dominick Pangallo is pleased to announce that the City of Salem has been selected as one of 25 municipalities to participate in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (“MassCEC”) On-Street Charging Solutions Program as.. SalemRecycles’ Free Book Swap returns to the Community Life Center at 401 Bridge Street on Saturday Attendees will find an impressive collection of donated books  “Website Sign In” at the bottom of the Homepage under Site Link.. The Salem Board of Health is involved in a grant that the City of Lynn holds with funding from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to develop and implement strategies that will prevent or reduce subs.. 93 Washington StreetSalem, MA 01970Phone: 978-745-9595 City Hours:Monday through Wednesday: 8 am to 4 pmThursday: 8 am to 7 pmFriday: 8 am to 12 pm Santo Domingo.- The World Jurist Association (WJA) in collaboration with Universidad del Caribe (UNICARIBE) will host the 29th World Law Congress in Santo Domingo on May 4–6 This global legal forum will gather over 300 experts from more than 70 countries to address contemporary legal challenges across 50+ panel discussions The opening ceremony on May 4 will feature notable figures such as WJA President Javier Cremades will be awarded the WJA Medal of Honor for her contributions to justice UNICARIBE will host 55 panels divided across ten key legal topics Local May 2 The event will emphasize youth participation with over 600 Dominican students attending under the theme “New Generations & Rule of Law: Shaping the Future.” The Congress will close on May 6 with the unveiling of the “Flame” peace monument along Santo Domingo’s Malecón and the presentation of the prestigious World Peace & Liberty Award to U.S The ceremony will include addresses by global judicial leaders and the presence of Dominican President Luis Abinader and King Felipe VI Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Economy North Coast Local Sports Health DominicanToday.com - The Dominican Republic News Source in English You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. A memorial for the hundreds of people killed last week in a roof collapse in Santo Domingo continues to grow in the square outside the United Palace Theatre in Washington Heights. “It’s devastating. It’s so big, it’s like the roof fell on all of us,” said Jorge “Tuto” Taveras, director of content creation at the United Palace Theatre. Taveras, who is also a musician, has performed at the theater, which has hosted major Latino artists over the years — including Rubby Pérez, a legend in the Dominican music world.  Pérez was performing at the Jet Set Club in Santo Domingo on April 8 when the roof collapsed, killing him and hundreds of others. Taveras had performed with Pérez in the past. “People that died were close to us — the musicians in that band — I played with them. It’s like it could have been me. It could’ve been my daughter,” Taveras said. He showed NY1 video of Pérez performing at the theater years ago. “I think in this biz, we have a lot of people that are not so clean-hearted. Their hearts are not so white. Rubby wasn’t one of those. His heart was light. He was loved by everybody,” Taveras said. Just a few blocks away, the staff at La Nueva España restaurant are also grieving the loss. Pérez had performed there just days before the collapse. Flyers for the event are still taped to the restaurant’s windows. It was his final performance in New York. “We can’t describe this night. Amazing. He was real kind. Everybody was enjoying it,” said Yrlanda Jimenez, who works at the restaurant. “To know that he was coming — a legend. We grew up listening to his songs. We sang, we cried, we danced. And then the next thing is, like, he’s not here,” said Eva Santos, the daughter of the restaurant’s owner. La Nueva España has created a small memorial outside the restaurant in honor of Pérez and the hundreds of other victims — people who were simply enjoying music with friends and family. “Take a step back and live life to the fullest. I think that’s something we’re learning from this event — because we know when we’re leaving home, but we never know when we’re coming back,” Santos said. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Reporting by Paul Mathiasen; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Rosalba O'Brien SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The roof of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican capital collapsed during a merengue concert, killing at least 124 people and injuring hundreds more. Politicians, athletes and a fashion designer were among those at Jet Set in Santo Domingo when disaster struck early Tuesday. Officials have said it’s too early to determine why the roof fell. Rescue crews suspended the search for survivors and moved to a phase focused on finding bodies. Dozens of people who had waited at hospitals and the forensics institute were finally getting information about their loved ones. The roof collapsed nearly an hour after the merengue concert headed by Rubby Pérez began at Jet Set. The club was known for its Monday night merengue parties that drew international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Monte Cristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital. Authorities say it’s too early to determine the cause of the disaster. Firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and created makeshift planks in an effort to reach survivors buried under the debris. Jet Set’s owners, who issued a statement saying they were cooperating with authorities, were also not reachable for comment. People check lists containing information about victims at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 8, 2025. Photo by Erika Santelices/ Reuters Relatives of merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, initially said he had been rescued. but Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said his body was found early Wednesday. The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, said the group’s saxophonist also died. The Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic posted on X that former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital. Also killed was Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, league spokesperson Satosky Terrero said. Other victims include New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. It’s an iconic nightclub in southern Santo Domingo that has operated for nearly five decades. It was known for its “Jet Set Mondays” that featured local and international merengue artists. It later moved and celebrated its first anniversary at the new location with merengue and salsa icon Johnny Ventura. The club underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, and it was struck by lightning in 2023, according to the newspaper. Relatives of victims react at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025. Photo by Erika Santelices/ Reuters The government announced late Wednesday that it was moving into a recovery phase after rescue crews searched for survivors for more than 24 hours following the collapse. An in-depth investigation into the collapse is expected. Authorities have not released any preliminary findings or commented on what might have caused it. Relatives waited at the nation’s forensics institute as it worked to identify victims, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. By Martín Adames Alcántara, Dánica Coto, Associated Press Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. 20252:28 PM UTCDesperate search for survivors after Dominican Republic nightclub collapseA catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic's capital killed at least 113 people on Tuesday and emergency crews were working frantically to pull survivors from the rubble [2/15]Rescue workers transport a victim rescued at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo [3/15]Relatives of victims react at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo [5/15]A drone view shows a site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo [6/15]Rescue teams continue working into the night at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub [8/15]People work at the site where the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed [9/15]Rescuers work at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo [10/15]Relatives wait for news about missing family members at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub [11/15]Relatives wait for news about missing family members at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub [12/15]Relatives wait for news about missing family members at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub [13/15]Rescue teams continue working into the night at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub [14/15]A woman looks for a relative missing at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo [15/15]Rescuers work at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo via Dominican Republic National Police SANTO DOMINGO © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Santo Domingo.- RED Air has announced a new thrice‑weekly route between Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo and Curaçao and Sunday: outbound L5 301 departs Santo Domingo at 11:45 AM and arrives in Curaçao at 12:45 PM; the return L5 300 leaves Curaçao at 9:20 AM Tourism April 23 Good to see I hope Red Air returns the Miami-SDQ route sometime in the near future "I love a 'silly little bag' for nighttime, especially in the summer when leather just feels far too serious. This is the first time that jewelry brand Lizzie Fortunato has tried their hand at purses, and they understood the assignment." "Juju Vera is undoubtedly the It jewelry brand of 2025—we can't keep her pieces in stock. For this capsule, we have a vacation-ready take on her signature necklace featuring a tassel and earrings that bring in a bit of color or pearls—add to cart before they inevitably sell out." "I've been obsessed with the brand La Veste for a while, founded by María de la Orden and Blanca Miró, and it's finally on Moda! The Pippi pants are a must for summer with a white tee, a tan, natural hair, and bare feet." "Each year for Club Moda, we work with Les Tien to create our take on 'merch.' They're perfectly oversize with a worn-in feel. The new henley polo style is perfect." "She wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny (on-trend) butter-yellow bikini. Is there anything else to say?" "Only The Row can get the fashion crowd in a tizzy for a humble rubber flip-flop." (Eddy Vittini/AP)The Lawrence community is mourning the victims of a collapse of a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic The roof of Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo fell in during a merengue concert early Tuesday killing at least 218 people and injuring over 200 more Concrete slabs killed some instantly and trapped dozens of others on a dance floor where hundreds had been dancing The death toll continues to grow as rescuers search through the rubble A Lawrence restaurateur is among those who died in the collapse In a post on social media the Terra Luna Group mourned the "irreparable loss" of CEO Fray Luis Rosario who owned Terra Luna Cafes in Lawrence and Providence “We will continue to work with dedication and commitment honoring his memory and carrying forward his innovative noble and joyful spirit,” the restaurant group said City Council President Jeovanny Rodriguez told WBUR that Rosario was a well-respected in Lawrence always looking forward for the improvement of the Lawrence downtown area," said Rodriguez The councilor said people are in shock over the collapse of the club and that it has directly and indirectly affected many in Lawrence and Greater Boston Hall of Fame former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez said Wednesday he has family members unaccounted for who were inside the nightclub when its roof collapsed The 53-year-old Martinez was born in Manoguayabo about 10 miles west of the Dominican Republic's capital city “I still have family members who are still in the rubbles and we don’t know what happened to them We’re a country that prays a lot and remains united all the time so I just hope everybody has the same courage.” With reporting from The Associated Press and WBUR's Katie Cole and Cici Yu This milestone marks over 16 million passengers and 186 million miles flown between the United States and the Dominican Republic.  Delta Air Lines is thrilled to celebrate 20 years of service to Santo Domingo a joyous milestone that highlights our dedication to connecting the vibrant cultures of the United States and the Dominican Republic Delta has proudly transported over 16 million passengers to and from the Dominican Republic including more than 6 million from Santo Domingo alone Delta operates daily flights from Atlanta and three times daily from New York's JFK with plans to increase to four daily flights in the second half of December 2024 Delta will boost capacity in Santo Domingo by approximately 10% year-over-year as a result of increased frequencies from JFK.  Delta is expanding its Dominican Republic operations by 17% in the same period serving all four major destinations with mainline aircraft:   Delta is offering more beach destinations from its ATL improving access to the Caribbean and Mexico from across the U.S Delta's dedicated team in the region works tirelessly to enhance the travel experience for countless visitors showcasing their commitment and professionalism generating a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.   Delta has proudly provided safe and reliable service to millions of customers traveling between the United States and Santo Domingo," said Agustin Durand General Manager of Sales for Central America "We look forward to the next 20 years as we continue to grow and strengthen the connection between these two vibrant regions."  Delta’s commitment to the Dominican Republic goes beyond transportation; it is also rooted in building lasting relationships with local communities and investing in the future of aviation in the region.  To book flights or learn more, visit delta.com.   * Service to Puerto Plata (POP) from Atlanta (ATL) will start on November 23, 2024. Seasonal service will operate through April 20, 2025, with flights available on Saturdays only from April 26 to May 3, 2025. After that, the service will be temporarily paused until the next seasonal period. Reporting by Paul Mathiasen; Writing by Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Sandra Maler The Festival Palau Santo Domingo 2025 brought together thousands of people over two days filled with music becoming a great celebration of faith and hope in the Dominican capital Despite the rain forecast for the first day the afternoon began with threatening clouds but the event ultimately took place under a calm night with a full moon The opening was led by presenters Eva Piccini and Kike Pavón Music took center stage with Dominican artist Jameson Ramírez The crowd erupted in joy once again and jumped to the rhythm set by the Brazilian artist it was time for Redimi2 — the most eagerly awaited artist The entire audience vibrated with each song performed by the Dominican who is now gaining international recognition with his music One of the most moving moments of the night came when Andrew Palau shared his testimony and a message about faith in Christ And when you decide to receive Jesus into your heart the Bible says that God makes you His child and you will never be alone again,” he said He then shared how God rescued him from a purposeless life marked by drugs and alcohol I realized that everything I did for fun wasn’t good for me I felt ashamed of my life,” he confessed to the crowd His testimony led many people to decide to give their lives to Jesus The festival also had a strong social component with the solidarity fair where more than 60 health professionals provided medical and dental care to those in need 4,500 people benefited from this initiative and Bible teachings in an atmosphere of joy and fun The second and final day began with performances by artists such as Jameson Ramírez An unexpected downpour forced the event to pause temporarily the production team improvised a piano set on stage and worship leader Ingrid Rosario led a moving moment of praise in the rain Mayor Dio Astacio took the stage to express his gratitude for the festival’s impact and symbolically handed the key to the city to Andrew Palau we symbolize that Santo Domingo Este is a city of God,” declared the mayor and pastor conveyed a special greeting from Juan Luis Guerra and reinforced his message about the importance of faith and family there is no family or foundation for a prosperous nation,” he emphasized alongside his interpreter Jonatan Proietti stating that “it is the foundation of a nation” and assuring them that “they need Jesus” to strengthen that foundation there is no family or foundation for a prosperous nation,” he repeated He invited those present to pray the prayer of faith while friends of the festival came forward to support and welcome those who decided to give their lives to Jesus eager to be guided in their spiritual decision The event concluded with performances by DJPV who brought the celebration to a powerful close the festival left a lasting spiritual impact on thousands of attendees Originally published by Diario Cristiano Christian Daily International's Spanish edition Help keep The Christian Daily free for everyone By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount you're helping to keep CDI's articles free and accessible for everyone Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage. Already new life can be seen returning to the scarred LA landscape It is a reminder that in the face of overwhelming devastation and destruction we can retain hope in new creation through Jesus and work now in our environments to testify to that hope A Providence restaurateur is among the victims of a nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic Fray Luis Rosario, owner of Terra Luna Cafe and Terra Negra Cantina died at the Jet Set nightclub early Tuesday morning in Santo Domingo Rosario also owned a restaurant there in Punta Canta president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association Simone said Rosario lived in Massachusetts He was involved in charities and all the festivals." Just last week, Rosario had purchased the two buildings that housed his restaurants at 57 and 59 De Pasquale Ave., said Simone. He opened his Mexican restaurant, Terra Negra Cantina He opened his Providence Terra Luna in 2020 At least 124 people were killed and 155 injured when a roof at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed. Authorities said Wednesday they were still searching the rubble for people to rescue, according to USA Today a popular singer who was performing and multiple former Major League Baseball players the Dominican Republic National Police said The Monday night concerts at the Jet Set were always popular and drew an upscale crowd who just returned from his vacation home in the Dominican Republic He said Rosario's lawyer also died in the collapse Both restaurants are expected to open as usual this week to honor the restaurateur This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy Santo Domingo.- Heavy rains in recent days across much of the country have left 13 communities isolated the Emergency Operations Center (COE) reported yesterday The agency’s report indicates that in Blanco Arriba explained that the waters have weakened the approaches to the bridge which will have to be reinforced to prevent it from collapsing the rising river caused flooding in agricultural areas […] Local May 3 the rising river caused flooding in agricultural areas and affected a bridge The tourist road that connects the southeastern part of Santiago suffered landslides prompting the mobilization of brigades and teams from the Ministry of Public Works early in the morning sweeping away crops and causing losses to agricultural production The community of Bajabonico Arriba was cut off from the municipality of Imbert and a bridge used by families entering and leaving the area was destroyed The Ministry of Public Works partially closed the bridge in the district of Sabaneta de Yásica Although Public Works engineers and technicians surveyed the damage The Civil Defense in Puerto Plata is monitoring the phenomenon which has left heavy rains in mountainous areas and gusts of wind that have caused lightning strikes and landslides in vulnerable areas asked vehicle and motorcycle drivers to exercise caution as landslides have also been reported on the slopes of the hills along the Navarrete-Puerto Plata highway The COE maintains 17 provinces on alert for possible flooding of rivers The provinces with the highest rainfall are Hermanas Mirabal Sign Up for Our Monthly Caribbean Newsletter It may not be common knowledge that Santo Domingo — the capital of the Dominican Republic — is the largest city in the Caribbean. But from the pool deck at Santo Domingo Marriott Hotel Piantini, the energy of the urban sprawl is apparent stretching a few blocks to the palm-lined Caribbean Sea The Piantini neighborhood is right in the midst of the downtown core close to historic sites and offices both government and corporate The development contains two new hotel towers: One houses the Marriott-branded property (opened March 2024), and one houses Aloft Santo Domingo Piantini (opened December 2023) offering two different-tier Marriott brands for clients with varying lodging needs On the ground level, there are four different restaurants that aren’t integral to the hotels but are nonetheless convenient for visitors. Especially noteworthy were the sushi platters at Makoto, which feature fish flown in from Japan The drive-through valet entrance has separate elevator towers leading to separate sky lobbies for each property the sky lobby is straight out of Marriott’s playbook design elements drawn from Indigenous Taino art traditions (check out the spiral on the ceiling) and plenty of seating for meet-and-greets This is where guests will also find the fitness center offered to guests booking room categories that include access or for elite members of the Marriott Bonvoy program drinks and coffee available throughout the day hors d’oeuvres and an honor bar available in the evenings Guestrooms offer sweeping city views with floor-to-ceiling windows along with bright blond wood interiors with vaguely art deco accents Polished wood flooring echoes the cooling effect of the lobby The 18th-floor rooftop deck has a large pool long enough for lap swimming guests can book private dining room La Cavita Breakfasts offer up bountiful buffets with international and Dominican specialties such as mangu con los tres golpes a traditional breakfast platter of mashed green plantains topped with pickled red onion Moorea offers an international and Dominican menu with a mix of sandwiches plated entrees that include fresh Caribbean seafood and selection of pastas and soups the other hotel tower in the development hosts the Aloft with more open bathroom spaces (bath amenities are from Drybar) and standalone storage and they feature coffeemakers and minifridges On the lobby level, there’s bar W XYZ, which offers whimsical cocktails served in tikis or boom boxes The hotel also shares an outdoor deck with Moorea at the Marriott next door and guests can walk across the deck to have breakfast there with chargeback privileges at the Aloft if they prefer a more substantial breakfast than the grab-and-go options for sale in the Aloft lobby The Aloft lobby is also the access point for the well-appointed fitness room and the space is designed to be convivial — an extension of the bar The Aloft additionally has a separate but quite similar pool deck with in-water loungers and city views While not quite as well-known as the Dominican Republic’s resort areas of Punta Cana and Casa de Campo, Santo Domingo will delight history-interested clients, who will enjoy poking around the city’s colonial zone — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — just a short cab ride away from the hotels the oldest existing cathedral in the Americas Also of interest is the Columbus Lighthouse, a mausoleum memorial and museum to the explorer Christopher Columbus who in the Dominican Republic is featured as one of the country’s key founding figures The lighthouse is purported to house the remains of Columbus himself but the veracity of the claim is disputed by Spain Clients preferring natural beauty will enjoy the Los Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) National Park, a set of underwater lakes exposed by an ancient cave collapse which shines a bright blue because of its calcium mineral content Whether clients choose to explore the city on their own or see the sites via an organized tour (which can be arranged by the concierge at the Marriott or front desk at the Aloft) this lovely pair of Marriott hotels in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods will ensure a most comfortable stay Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 leader of the nationalist group Ancient Dominican Order led a demonstration in front of the National Palace on Thursday denouncing Amnesty International’s criticism of the Dominican Republic’s immigration policies Vásquez called on President Luis Abinader to cancel a march organized by the Reconocido movement which plans to end at the Altar of the Homeland Vásquez claimed the march represents a challenge to Dominican national identity stop the Haitian march with the heart of Dominican identity.” The protest was the group’s second major demonstration where locals rallied against the growing Haitian migrant population Hundreds of protesters walked from Máximo Gómez Avenue to the Presidential Palace Local April 24 They vowed to remain vigilant regarding the government’s 15 recently implemented immigration measures It’s sad when the very people they deport come right back in It’s a shame where the people doing the deporting were a part of the same people being deported 100s of years ago It’s a shame that ignorance runs rampant when being Haitian or Dominican is a separatist movement (or any other nationality) to keep the one race divided I only pray that the people (not o ly DR but all over the world) wake up from their sleep and begin to treat each other as one Pray that the big powers go to Haiti and make Haiti safe for Haitians I just want to say that Dominican Republic gained their independence from Haiti Yes we share the same island but we are Culturally different which is why our founding fathers had to gain independence from them Dominican Republic has helped Haiti even though we are a developing nation ourselves If you don’t live in DR and/or have family in DR is ignorant to comment on it because if you did you would know that average Dominicans have to pay for private healthcare( even though they pay taxes on already low pay) why because clinics are over populated with our neighbors but guess what Dominican kids stay out due to overcrowd Its not fair to Dominican citizens that we need to carry with Hati’s Government chaos So yes we are the human race and we have helped so much to the point the government is failing its own citizens The real solution is for Haiti to solve their problems so their citizens don’t have to leave their country Print SANTO DOMINGO Dominican Republic — A crowd of people grew increasingly agitated Wednesday as they waited at the Dominican Republic’s forensic institute for news of their loved ones still missing a day after a roof collapsed at a nightclub killing at least 124 people and injuring hundreds more National Institute of Forensic Pathology officials read the names of 54 victims they have identified so far “We cannot wait until nighttime!” said one woman who was waiting for news of a relative whose name she did not hear saying they have already delivered 28 bodies to their families but do not yet have a tally of all the bodies recovered Officials said more than 250 people were hurt “The authorities are selling us false dreams!” cried out José Sánchez whose brother and brother-in-law were still missing The legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo was packed with musicians professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks early Tuesday Concrete slabs killed some instantly and trapped dozens of others on a dancefloor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert the country’s 911 system received more than 100 calls The victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez Rescue crews are still searching for survivors more than 24 hours after the collapse Officials said Wednesday they had rescued 145 survivors from the wreckage of the nightclub “As long as they report that there is a missing person Rescue crews from Puerto Rico and Israel arrived Wednesday to help with the search Officials said crews used sonar to detect what could be one person still breathing under the rubble Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía praised what she described as acts of love including one Dominican who was handing out coffee to those at the scene and a man on vacation from Costa Rica who joined the search because he’s part of a rescue crew back home only a few dozen people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic Local media reported that those who died include a cardiologist a retired police officer and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth Also killed were MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Dominican player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera spokesperson for the country’s Professional Baseball League Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, alerted President Luis Abinader about the disaster. She called him from underneath the rubble and later died at a hospital. Other victims include saxophonist Luis Solís, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco; several Venezuelan bartenders; and an Army captain who left behind four young girls. Grupo Popular, a financial services company, said three of its employees also died, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. “I have been to many hospitals, and I have not found her,” Deysi Suriel said of her friend, 61-year-old Milca Curiel, a North Carolina resident who was on vacation in the Dominican Republic. More than 20 of the injured remained hospitalized Wednesday, including at least eight in critical condition. “A point in their favor is that they’re young,” said Dr. Julio Landrón, director general of the Dr. Ney Arias Lora Trauma Hospital, which has 21 of the Jet Set injured, including five in critical condition. Landrón warned, however, that none of them are in the clear, noting some suffered fractures in the skull, femur and pelvis. “They spent hours, more than six, seven, eight hours under rubble with multiple fractures, multiple injuries, with bleeding related to being crushed,” he said. Dozens of frantic relatives listened to officials read aloud a list of the identified victims at the forensics institute, while others went from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones, some clutching photographs. “Francisco Alberto Méndez ... Rosa Herminia Pérez ... Ramón Teodoro Jiménez ... Juan Manuel Santana,” one official read as the crowd strained to listen. “Here! Here!” yelled one person upon hearing the name of their loved one. In the crowd was Virginia Rosario, who was looking for relatives including her cousin, who is still missing, and her sister, Rosa Herminia Pérez, who died and whom she described as “beautiful, precious, very nice.” “I’m in a lot of pain,” she said. “I have had many moments of despair.” Officials said they have not been able to identify at least 33 bodies. “This is a very traumatic situation,” said national lawmaker Pedro Martínez, who also has relatives missing. Among those searching for friends and family was Kimberly Jones, whose godson, 45-year-old artist Osiris Blanc, and his friends were missing. “It was their favorite place, they went there almost every Monday,” Jones said. She said her niece also was missing. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club told the Associated Press that she passed along questions about potential inspections. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor’s office. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Alcántara and Coto write for the Associated Press. Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. World & Nation Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Dominican Republic-based Arajet has significant ambitions in the U.S which the airline plans to start serving next year and views as critical to developing Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo as a north-south connecting hub The airline, founded in 2022, has eagerly been anticipating the finalization of a Dominican-U.S. open skies agreement, which formally took effect on Dec. 19 “has since the beginning been our main goal,” Manuel Luna told Aviation Week following the carrier announcing Dec 20 it will open service from SDQ to New York Arajet will fly the routes with Boeing 737-8 aircraft with an 11th 737-8 expected to be delivered by the 2025 second quarter and 15 scheduled to be in the fleet by the end of next year “We're probably not going to start with a daily flight [on the three U.S but our goal is by the end of 2025 to have a daily flight to the three destinations from Santo Domingo,” Luna said will also likely be launched from Dominican cities Punta Cana and Santiago de Los Caballeros at some point in 2025 “Our main focus in 2025 is to fly to the U.S and put as many flights as possible to those three destinations,” Luna said routes aim to serve the Dominican diaspora in the U.S. where an estimated 2.4 million Dominican Americans live But a central goal is to turn the Dominican capital into a connecting hub between the U.S with flights to and from Miami especially important a new hub of the Americas here in Santo Domingo,” Luna said “And this is going to allow people from South America to fly with cheap tickets to Miami through our hub from Lima—they can now use the Dominican Republic as a new connection option And they can also stay here for a few days Arajet seeks to eventually have widespread coverage in the U.S “We're looking forward to having destinations on the West Coast in the center and in the northeast,” Luna said maybe Dallas or Houston or Denver.” He added there is “a big probability” of serving Los Angeles Arajet currently operates flights from SDQ and Punta Cana combined to 23 cities in 15 countries The carrier already serves both Montreal and Toronto Pearson in Canada Aaron Karp is a Contributing Editor to the Aviation Week Network insight and analysis from our award-winning editors delivered to your inbox daily