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

In a sudden moment, joy turned into tragedy as the ceiling 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 prominent figures, including politicians, athletes, and celebrities, when the ceiling fell suddenly on the attendees, in a tragic scene captured by phone cameras, documenting moments of panic, screams, and power outage. The director of the emergency operations center, Juan Manuel Mendez, confirmed that rescue teams continue 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 focus on those we can save now, and we continue working tirelessly." Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monti Cristi province and sister of the renowned baseball player Nelson Cruz, adding a deep human dimension to the tragedy whose cause is still unknown, with no date set for another structural inspection of the building. In the vicinity of the nightclub, a temporary morgue was set up, 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. Among the attendees was the famous singer Ruby Perez, who survived the incident, and was on stage when the power suddenly went out, moments before the ceiling collapsed. 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 authorities. At the same time, the 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 monitoring the developments minute by minute, personally heading to the scene of the incident to oversee rescue efforts. As cranes and rescue teams work to remove the rubble, hope still hangs on the possibility of rescuing more lives from under the debris, amidst the sorrow and astonishment that has befallen the country.