Among the confirmed fatalities are prominent figures such as Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof gave way; former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco; and Monte Cristi provincial governor Nelsy Cruz. Cruz managed to contact President Luis Abinader shortly after the collapse but succumbed to her injuries before rescue teams could reach her.
Witnesses described a sudden blackout preceding the collapse, followed by ceiling debris falling into the crowd. Moments later, the entire roof caved in, trapping numerous patrons under massive concrete slabs. Rescue operations commenced immediately, with approximately 400 responders, including personnel from 22 state agencies, working tirelessly to locate survivors amidst the rubble. Heavy machinery, thermal cameras, and trained search dogs were deployed in the efforts.
President Abinader visited the disaster site on the morning of 8 April to assess the situation and affirmed the government's commitment to the rescue operations, emphasizing that all available resources were being utilized. He subsequently declared three days of national mourning from 8 to 10 April, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast across public buildings and military precincts.
The Jet Set nightclub, a longstanding establishment with over 50 years of history, had undergone renovations in 2010 and 2015. Originally constructed as a cinema, the building's structural integrity is now under scrutiny as investigators seek to determine the cause of the collapse. The club's management has pledged full cooperation with authorities during the investigation.
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