Sadly, the death toll continues to rise following a nightclub disaster in the Dominican Republic that killed beloved merengue icon Rubby Pérez.
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Officials reported Saturday (April 12) that four people hospitalized after being rescued from the rubble of a roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub died overnight. This brings the overall death toll to 225 people.
Governor, MLB Players Among Victims Of Nightclub Catastrophe
The roof of the iconic Santo Domingo establishment collapsed during a merengue concert early Tuesday (April 8.) According to the Associated Press, the disaster occurred nearly an hour after the concert, headed by Rubby Pérez, kicked off.
NYC lowers flags half-staff to honor victims of Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapsehttps://t.co/7fz5wP7yiv
— Miss T (@tlc6767) April 12, 2025
Reports say that Pérez had been performing at the packed Jet Set nightclub for nearly an hour when dust began falling from the ceiling. Seconds later, the roof caved.
Initially, Pérez’s relatives told media outlets that the 69-year-old “Volvere” singer had been rescued alive. However, officials later confirmed Wednesday (April 9) that his body had been found in the rubble.
Other victims include former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and brother of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, also died.
Officials say it’s too soon to determine the cause of the collapse.
[RELATED: 18 Dead After Nightclub Roof Collapse, Singer Among Hundreds Injured]
Remembering Rubby Pérez
Alba Joselin Holguín was at the Jet Set nightclub Monday evening (April 7) with her husband to see Rubby Pérez in concert. The 48-year-old lawyer told Billboard that the merengue singer “gave his 100%” prior to the night’s tragic ending.
“The truth is, that night Rubby had the crowd happy, dancing, singing,” Holguín said. “Everyone was enjoying the moment, taking selfies. The crowd was very happy.”
Once an aspiring baseball player, Pérez decided to pursue a career in music after a car accident dealt permanent damage to his left leg. He became known as “the highest voice of merengue” (la voz más alta del merengue) due to his impressive vocal abilities.
In 1980, Pérez joined Wilfrido Vargas’ orchestra. That stint paved the way for his solo career seven years later.
“His voice, powerful and full of life will continue to resonate in every corner of our Dominican Republic and beyond,” Vargas said in a statement. “Rubby was not just a singer; he was a symbol of courage, passion and artistic excellence.”
Featured image by FRANCESCO SPOTORNO/AFP via Getty Images
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