Half of the board of directors of a seniors club, along with the president of the Lion’s Club, a high school teacher, and the owner of a trucking company, perished in a recent nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic. The tragedy also claimed the life of Tony Blanco, a retired major league baseball player, and Rubby Pérez, a merengue singer whose concert attracted over 400 attendees from his hometown.
The incident, which occurred at the Jet Set disco last Tuesday morning, resulted in the deaths of 226 people and has left the Dominican Republic engulfed in sorrow. The city of Haina, located outside the capital, experienced a profound loss, with more than two dozen residents among the deceased, including community leaders and cultural icons.
David Ortiz, a former Red Sox player and Haina native, expressed his condolences and traveled to the city to assist in burying the victims. A memorial service attended by dozens of residents and the president, Luis Abinader, took place in a gym where attendees, holding white roses, mourned their losses and sought solace amidst their grief.
During the service, a photo slideshow of the victims was displayed, while an evangelical pastor and a Catholic priest offered comforting remarks. Joselito Trinidad performed poignant renditions of Pérez’s songs, reminding attendees of the late singer's enduring legacy.
The atmosphere in the gym was somber, with many seats unoccupied as residents attended various funerals throughout the city. One grieving woman confronted the president, calling for accountability regarding the tragedy.
Pérez, 69, was a prominent figure in Haina and a member of the Golden Haineros, a social club for seniors. Out of the 25 members who attended the concert, only 12 survived the collapse. The club’s leadership has been devastated, with the vice president, treasurer, and event planner also among the deceased.
Club president Hectór Rincón initially contemplated resigning but was encouraged to continue in honor of those lost. He now seeks psychological support for survivors, acknowledging the profound impact of the tragedy on the community.
Haina, home to approximately 158,000 residents, has a history marked by industrial significance and environmental challenges. Once a thriving center for skilled labor, it now grapples with the aftermath of the disaster.
Community leaders from the Lion’s Club, which lost three members in the incident, have pledged to continue the work of their late president, Luis Emilio Guillén, emphasizing the collective grief shared by the town.