Tragic Collapse at Jet Set Nightclub in the Dominican Republic Claims Lives
Incident results in 233 fatalities, including Costa Rican national Karla Sánchez Solórzano and her husband Pedro Cepeda.
On April 8, 2025, the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, experienced a catastrophic roof collapse during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez, leading to the deaths of 233 individuals, with notable casualties including 41-year-old Costa Rican Karla Sánchez Solórzano and her husband, Dominican pilot Pedro Cepeda.
The couple had been married since 2020 and their loss has left their families devastated.
Karla Sánchez Solórzano succumbed to her injuries on April 12, after spending four days in a coma at Marcelino Vélez Santana Hospital, where she had been admitted following the incident.
Her funeral took place on May 1, 2025, in Heredia, Costa Rica, attended by family and friends mourning her untimely death.
Many survivors continue to face physical and psychological challenges in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Jeniré Mena, a Venezuelan costume designer, is undergoing extensive rehabilitation due to serious injuries sustained during the collapse, including spinal and limb injuries.
She was trapped for five hours under the debris and is now adjusting to life after such profound trauma.
Carmen Guante, 62, another survivor, reports struggling with psychological effects stemming from the event.
She experienced severe anxiety and nightmares, particularly relating to the loss of close friends in the incident.
Guante, who was able to exit the nightclub shortly before the major collapse, credits her quick decision to leave with saving her life.
In the wake of the collapse, 38 lawsuits have been initiated against the nightclub's owners as victims and their families seek accountability.
The nightclub's owner, Antonio Espaillat, has expressed willingness to cooperate with investigations, which are looking to ascertain the causes of the structural failure.
The memorial at the site has become a focal point for grieving, with flowers and candles left in tribute to the victims, and banners demanding justice for those lost.
The tragic event has united many in a common call for accountability, as the investigation continues without definitive results announced publicly.
Investigators are also probing the circumstances surrounding the performance by Rubby Pérez, who was among those who lost their lives along with several former professional baseball players, intensifying the tragedy felt across the region.
As the community mourns, discussions around safety regulations for public venues have emerged as a pressing issue.
Efforts are ongoing to provide support for surviving victims as they navigate the path to recovery, both physically and mentally.
Authorities emphasize the need for thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
The couple had been married since 2020 and their loss has left their families devastated.
Karla Sánchez Solórzano succumbed to her injuries on April 12, after spending four days in a coma at Marcelino Vélez Santana Hospital, where she had been admitted following the incident.
Her funeral took place on May 1, 2025, in Heredia, Costa Rica, attended by family and friends mourning her untimely death.
Many survivors continue to face physical and psychological challenges in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Jeniré Mena, a Venezuelan costume designer, is undergoing extensive rehabilitation due to serious injuries sustained during the collapse, including spinal and limb injuries.
She was trapped for five hours under the debris and is now adjusting to life after such profound trauma.
Carmen Guante, 62, another survivor, reports struggling with psychological effects stemming from the event.
She experienced severe anxiety and nightmares, particularly relating to the loss of close friends in the incident.
Guante, who was able to exit the nightclub shortly before the major collapse, credits her quick decision to leave with saving her life.
In the wake of the collapse, 38 lawsuits have been initiated against the nightclub's owners as victims and their families seek accountability.
The nightclub's owner, Antonio Espaillat, has expressed willingness to cooperate with investigations, which are looking to ascertain the causes of the structural failure.
The memorial at the site has become a focal point for grieving, with flowers and candles left in tribute to the victims, and banners demanding justice for those lost.
The tragic event has united many in a common call for accountability, as the investigation continues without definitive results announced publicly.
Investigators are also probing the circumstances surrounding the performance by Rubby Pérez, who was among those who lost their lives along with several former professional baseball players, intensifying the tragedy felt across the region.
As the community mourns, discussions around safety regulations for public venues have emerged as a pressing issue.
Efforts are ongoing to provide support for surviving victims as they navigate the path to recovery, both physically and mentally.
Authorities emphasize the need for thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
