What was meant to be a joyous night filled with music at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic turned into a nightmare on Tuesday morning when the venue's ceiling unexpectedly collapsed during a performance by acclaimed merengue artist Rubby Pérez. Among the survivors is Cristóbal Moya, whose harrowing image, injured and shaken, quickly spread across social media. Despite his survival, Moya has unequivocally described the ordeal as the worst day of his life.
"The worst day of my life," he summarized from his hospital bed, where he is currently recovering. "I managed to get out because I was right by the door. God gave me a second chance. That's how I see it," he told Univision.
Like many others that night, Moya was enjoying the lively atmosphere of Jet Set. Everything seemed normal until an ominous sign heralded the catastrophe.
"I saw the ceiling crack, a panel break, and dust started to fall. Then, in a second, I lost consciousness," Moya recounted to the media outlet.
The collapse allowed no time to react. He barely felt "a blow to the back of the head" before falling to the ground, unconscious.
Upon regaining consciousness, Moya found himself trapped among the debris, in excruciating pain, and unable to move. "A piece of debris fell on top of a piece of furniture, which pressed against me. I was curled up with my knees against my chest, unable to move backward or forward because of the weight on my back," he explained.
The Good Samaritan
Amidst the chaos, dust, and desperate cries of those injured or searching for loved ones, Moya found a glimmer of hope: a voice calling out to him from the rubble.
"There was a good Samaritan who came up to me and said, 'Don't worry, I'll get you out. What's your name? My name is so-and-so, don't worry,'" Moya said about the person who became his guardian angel.
Still shaken by his experience, Moya now faces a new concern: he has not been able to locate the three people he was with that night.
A National Tragedy
The collapse of Jet Set has left the Dominican Republic in mourning. Authorities have declared three days of national mourning and confirmed a provisional toll of 124 dead and 155 injured. According to José Antonio Matos, the Deputy Minister of Health, the disaster struck around 1 a.m. as the merengue concert was in full swing.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to clear the debris and save those trapped, with the injured being rushed to various local hospitals.
The images from the scene are heart-wrenching: piles of collapsed concrete, emergency lights flashing, and bodies covered as they await medical attention.
Outside the venue, families have gathered, singing songs of hope as they wait anxiously for news about their loved ones.
Social media has been flooded with photos and lists of those who attended the event and remain unaccounted for. The Public Health Network (SNS) has released lists of the injured along with the hospitals where they are being treated and has urgently called for blood donations. A dedicated hotline, *462 option 3, has been set up for updated information on the injured.
Tragically, one of the fatalities was the 68-year-old singer Rubby Pérez. Another victim was former Major League Baseball player, Octavio Dotel.
Understanding the Dominican Republic Nightclub Disaster
What caused the Jet Set nightclub ceiling to collapse?
The exact cause of the ceiling collapse at the Jet Set nightclub has not been officially determined, although structural failure is suspected. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the specific reasons behind the tragedy.
How many people were affected by the nightclub collapse?
The disaster at the Jet Set nightclub resulted in 124 deaths and 155 injuries, according to official reports.
Who were some of the notable figures who died in the tragedy?
Among the deceased were the well-known merengue singer Rubby Pérez and former Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel.