Santo Domingo Nightclub Collapse Claims 218 Lives, Exposes Regulatory Failures
The catastrophic collapse of the Jet Set discotheque roof during a concert highlights structural vulnerabilities and insufficient oversight in the Dominican Republic.
- Rescue operations have confirmed at least 218 fatalities and 189 injuries following the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo during a concert featuring merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was among the deceased.
- Experts attribute the collapse to structural overload, compounded by the building's age, modifications, and inadequate regulatory inspections over decades.
- The building, originally constructed as a cinema 52 years ago and converted into a nightclub in 1994, had faced a fire in 2023 that raised concerns about its structural integrity, though no significant damage was officially reported at the time.
- Authorities have launched an investigation into the disaster, and media outlets are calling for stricter infrastructure inspections to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
- The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of building safety standards in the Dominican Republic, with experts emphasizing the need for reforms in inspection practices and enforcement.
Sud Ouest 
Courrier International 
Ouest-France 
l'Opinion 