Beloved singer among 113 confirmed dead following a tragic roof collapse at Santo Domingo’s Jet Set Club; tributes pour in as investigation and rescue efforts continue.
The Dominican Republic is in mourning after the tragic collapse of the Jet Set Club roof in Santo Domingo, which claimed the lives of at least 113 people, including beloved merengue legend Rubby Pérez. The 69-year-old singer was performing onstage during the early hours of April 8 when the roof came crashing down mid-performance.
Rubby Pérez’s death was confirmed by his team in a heartfelt Instagram post on April 9:
“We sincerely thank you for all the love, support, and solidarity we have received in this difficult time for your family, friends and followers. His musical and human legacy will live forever in our hearts. Peace to his soul.”
Pérez, best known for hits like “Tu Vas a Volar”, was a national icon whose influence on merengue music spanned decades. His body was recovered from the rubble by rescuers, according to Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Emergency Operations Center.
The emotional toll deepened as personal accounts from the scene emerged. Rubby’s daughter, Zulinka Pérez, who performed as a backup singer alongside her husband, gave a harrowing account of the collapse:
“My husband covered me, threw himself on top of me, and he got trapped. He told me, ‘Get out quickly.’ The musicians were able to get out; the bass player is in critical condition; I think he had surgery in the hospital. And one of the saxophone players is dead.”
More than 155 people were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals as rescue efforts continued into the following day.
Among the other victims were former Major League Baseball stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, and Monte Cristi governor Nelsy Cruz. Dotel’s agent, Dan Horwits, shared a moving tribute on Instagram:
“His energy, positivity and zest for life were infectious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. It was an honor to represent OD. We pass along our thoughts and prayers to his entire family as well as everyone affected by the tragedy.”
The Jet Set Club, once a celebrated venue for live Latin music, issued its own statement expressing deep sorrow:
“The loss of human lives leaves us in a state of profound sorrow and grief. In this difficult moment, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own, as we, too, are in mourning.”
Authorities are working with the venue to investigate the cause of the collapse, vowing full transparency and support for victims and their families. As the nation grieves, Rubby Pérez is being remembered not just as a musical giant, but as a cultural beacon whose voice will echo for generations to come.
