Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - April 09, 2025 SOUNDBITE 1 - INT1D [00:00:00 - 00:00:05] No, according to the news, the roof collapsed. I saw it on social media at 5 in the morning.[00:00:05 - 00:00:07] But I came here hours ago, I don’t even know how long it’s been, and everything is still going on here.[00:00:07 - 00:00:12] They’ve already pulled out dead bodies, injured people, everything—and they’re still removing rubble, using cranes.[00:00:12 - 00:00:15] There are still lots of people inside, according to what I was told.[00:00:15 - 00:00:17] – Approximately how many people are dead? [00:00:17 - 00:00:20] I don’t know. There were 400 people inside.[00:00:20 - 00:00:25] I don’t know how many died, but I saw that more than 27 were already taken out.[00:00:25 - 00:00:28] And over a hundred and something injured.[00:00:28 - 00:00:30] Yes, they’re still pulling people out.[00:00:30 - 00:00:32] – How do you feel about this tragedy? [00:00:32 - 00:00:35] Very sad, heartbreaking. Obviously, it's not easy.[00:00:35 - 00:00:37] I’m really sorry, you know?[00:00:37 - 00:00:41] I don’t have family there, but we still feel for them—it’s the same.[00:00:41 - 00:00:44] They’re Mexicans like us, from another country, you understand?[00:00:44 - 00:00:47] No, they acted quickly—they got to work right away.[00:00:47 - 00:00:50] The thing is, it was a collapsed roof. That’s not easy—it’s a process.[00:00:50 - 00:00:52] I know that’s a process, you get me?[00:00:52 - 00:00:55] But so far everything’s going okay. They’re working—let’s see.[00:00:55 - 00:00:57] God willing, they find more people alive than dead. SOUNDBITE 2 - INT4D And many injured people still haven’t been found. They just pulled out two, and they say there were 1,200 people inside. They say it happened around 1 in the morning, though I’m not sure if that’s true. It’s sad, very sad, and painful, what has happened. It’s desperate, I can only imagine how the families of those people inside must feel. You can imagine it yourself. SOUNDBITE 3 - INT6D My people, my country, Elri here—this is El Fari speaking on behalf of the nightclub tragedy. Never, never should we turn our backs on our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ loves us. Seeking Christ is the solution. Seeking Christ is peace. Seeking Christ is love. In this Holy Week, let us dedicate time to our Lord Jesus Christ. In this Holy Week, Christ loves us all, each and every one. Let’s give time to God this Holy Week—for all the victims, for the deceased, for the survivors. Christ loves us. Christ is the solution. Our Lord Jesus Christ is love and harmony in this country, in our Dominican Republic. Christ loves us so much. Christ is the only one. Christ is the only one. In this Holy Week, Christ is for everyone. Peace. SCRIPT: A tragic accident early Tuesday morning has left at least 124 people dead and more than 150 injured after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic's capital Santo Domingo caved in during a live concert. The collapse occurred just before 1:00 AM local time (05:00 GMT), while the venue was packed with partygoers attending a performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Eyewitnesses described chaos as the roof fell, trapping dozens under tons of debris. Emergency response teams swiftly arrived at the scene, and rescue operations continue in an attempt to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble. While rescue efforts are ongoing, the situation remains dire, and authorities have warned that the window for finding survivors is narrowing. Local officials estimate that there were approximately 1,200 people inside the club at the time of the collapse. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, with concerns being raised over the building’s structural integrity. Authorities have urged the public to await official statements as they assess whether safety protocols were followed and if the nightclub was operating within capacity limits. In the wake of the disaster, many residents have expressed their grief and solidarity, as the country comes together to support the victims and their families. Emergency teams, volunteers, and the Civil Defence have been working tirelessly, with donations of food, water, and medical supplies pouring in from all parts of the country. President Luis Abinader offered his condolences, calling the tragedy “an unimaginable loss for the nation.” He assured the public that the government would assist with the recovery and investigation efforts. This devastating collapse has left an indelible mark on the nation, and the Dominican Republic is now grappling with the aftermath of what is one of the deadliest incidents in recent memory.