Maximo Peña, a longtime patron of the Jet Set nightclub, was longing to enjoy a concert when disaster struck, leaving many families facing heartbreak and an unbearable wait.
Tragedy Strikes: Nightclub Collapse Leaves Families in Agony
Tragedy Strikes: Nightclub Collapse Leaves Families in Agony
Families anxiously await news in the aftermath of a devastating nightclub disaster in Santo Domingo.
The Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has become a scene of unimaginable grief following a tragic roof collapse during a concert, resulting in a death toll that has now reached at least 184. Maximo Peña, who frequented the venue for 30 years, had brought his wife and sister to see popular Dominican singer Rubby Pérez perform. As the concert proceeded, the structure gave way, burying many beneath the debris.
Among the anxious relatives waiting outside is 17-year-old Shailyn Peña, Maximo’s daughter, who expressed her growing desperation, stating, “I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out.” Shailyn's family is among the many affected as rescue teams, including international efforts from Israeli and Mexican groups, intensively search for survivors using advanced technology to detect signs of life.
Hope occasionally emerges as rescue workers bring out survivors from the rubble, though the grim updates on fatalities weigh heavily on the families. The authorities are committed to continuing the rescue operations until every possibility has been exhausted. Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre, assured the public, "Nothing can be ruled out."
In a somber response to the catastrophe, President Luis Abinader declared three days of mourning in recognition of the tragedy that cut across various segments of Dominican society, affecting well-known figures, musicians, and everyday patrons alike. The investigation into potential causes of the collapse has begun, with speculation surrounding a prior fire at the venue that may have compromised its structural integrity.
As hope dims and despair rises, families grapple with the harsh reality of losing their loved ones in what has become the most devastating disaster in modern Dominican history. Shailyn, whose birthday falls on Thursday, faces the anguish of potentially celebrating it without her father, entangled in a nightmare as the country collectively mourns.
With the search ongoing, the affected families look not only for survivors but also for answers and closure in the face of overwhelming loss.
Among the anxious relatives waiting outside is 17-year-old Shailyn Peña, Maximo’s daughter, who expressed her growing desperation, stating, “I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out.” Shailyn's family is among the many affected as rescue teams, including international efforts from Israeli and Mexican groups, intensively search for survivors using advanced technology to detect signs of life.
Hope occasionally emerges as rescue workers bring out survivors from the rubble, though the grim updates on fatalities weigh heavily on the families. The authorities are committed to continuing the rescue operations until every possibility has been exhausted. Juan Manuel Mendez, Director of the Emergency Operations Centre, assured the public, "Nothing can be ruled out."
In a somber response to the catastrophe, President Luis Abinader declared three days of mourning in recognition of the tragedy that cut across various segments of Dominican society, affecting well-known figures, musicians, and everyday patrons alike. The investigation into potential causes of the collapse has begun, with speculation surrounding a prior fire at the venue that may have compromised its structural integrity.
As hope dims and despair rises, families grapple with the harsh reality of losing their loved ones in what has become the most devastating disaster in modern Dominican history. Shailyn, whose birthday falls on Thursday, faces the anguish of potentially celebrating it without her father, entangled in a nightmare as the country collectively mourns.
With the search ongoing, the affected families look not only for survivors but also for answers and closure in the face of overwhelming loss.
