Tragic Collapse at Jet Set Nightclub in Santo Domingo

Maximo Peña, a loyal patron of the Jet Set nightclub for three decades, attended the venue this past Monday to enjoy a concert by renowned Dominican artist Rubby Pérez. Tragically, during the performance, the roof of the nightclub collapsed, burying Maximo, his wife, and his sister beneath the debris. The disaster has resulted in at least 184 fatalities.

Seventeen-year-old Shailyn Peña anxiously waits for any updates about her missing father and relatives, expressing her heartbreak outside the collapsed nightclub. “It was just another Monday night for them,” she recalls, revealing that her mother had intended to join them but opted out at the last minute, which she now sees as a fortunate decision.

While rescue teams meticulously scour the rubble for survivors, Shailyn finds solace knowing that her cousin is part of the effort to locate her uncle. Despite this, the uncertainty is distressing, as she longs to take action herself. “I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out,” she laments, feeling powerless in the situation.

Rescue workers, equipped with advanced heat-seeking technology, continue to search for any survivors. Authorities provide regular updates on the death toll, which increases with each passing hour. Occasionally, they are able to bring individuals out alive, instilling hope amid despair. “Nothing can be ruled out,” stated Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre, assuring families that every effort will be made in the search.

In light of the tragedy, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning. Among those confirmed dead are notable national figures, including the musician Rubby Pérez, and two beloved former baseball players. The loss extends to many fans of the merengue genre who were at the nightclub that evening.

As the rescue operation continues, discussions are starting to turn to the cause of the collapse. One prevailing theory attributes the disaster to a fire that occurred at the nightclub two years prior, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the building. Antonio Espaillat, the owner of Jet Set, has expressed his condolences in a video message while assuring cooperation with authorities during the investigation.

For Shailyn, the grief is compounded by the recent news her younger stepsisters learned of their parents being trapped, instilling them with fear. As her birthday approaches, what should be a day of celebration with her family has turned into a heart-wrenching wait for updates on her loved ones caught in a disaster that has shaken her nation.