"Jet Set" nightclub disaster: Dozens killed and injured in Santo Domingo

In a sudden moment, joy turned into tragedy as the roof of a nightclub in the capital Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic collapsed, resulting in the death of 66 people and injuring over 160 others. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including politicians, athletes, and celebrities, when the roof fell suddenly on the attendees, in a tragic scene captured by phone cameras, documenting moments of panic, screams, and power outage. Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the emergency operations center, confirmed that rescue teams are continuing search operations under the rubble of the "Jet Set" nightclub, which consists of a single floor, in hopes of finding survivors. Mendez stated that rescue teams are hearing cries for help, keeping hope alive, adding: "We are focusing on those we can save now, and we continue working without pause." Among the victims was Neysi Cruz, the governor of Monti Cristi province and the sister of the renowned baseball player Nelson Cruz, adding a deep human dimension to the tragedy whose cause is still unknown, and a date for another structural inspection of the building has not been determined. A temporary morgue was set up near the nightclub, with over 120 people flocking to blood donation centers in a touching show of solidarity, while dozens of locals gathered near the site, searching through lists for the names of their missing loved ones. The famous singer Ruby Perez was among the attendees who survived the incident, standing on stage moments before the roof collapsed due to the sudden power outage. A video clip capturing the moment circulated, with a woman heard screaming in terror: "What happened?" The nightclub issued a statement expressing deep shock, announcing its full cooperation with the authorities. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor Rosalba Ramos confirmed that the focus remains on finding survivors, despite mounting questions about the causes of the disaster. President Luis Abinader announced through the "X" platform that the government is closely monitoring the developments and personally directed to the scene of the incident to oversee rescue efforts. As cranes and rescue teams work to remove the rubble, hope remains that more lives will be rescued from under the debris, amidst the grief and astonishment that has gripped the nation.