The music world is in mourning following the confirmation of the death of Rubby Pérez, one of the great exponents of merengue, who passed away in the tragic accident at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Pérez, who was in the midst of his performance early Tuesday morning, lost his life when the roof of the venue collapsed, resulting in a tragedy that has, so far, claimed the lives of 113 people, according to Dominican authorities.
The collapse of the structure, which occurred while the singer was performing his famous song "De color de rosa," left dozens of people trapped in the rubble.
Although there was initially uncertainty about Rubby Pérez's whereabouts, authorities confirmed his death on Wednesday after recovering his body at the disaster site.
The director of the Emergency Operations Committee, Juan Manuel Méndez, reported that the body of the merenguero was found early Wednesday morning, after hours of searching.
The impact on music and the country
Rubby Pérez, 69 years old, was a pillar of merengue since his debut in 1986, when he formed his own group after leaving the orchestra of Maestro Wilfrido Vargas.
Known for his powerful voice and charisma, he performed iconic songs such as "I Will Return," "I Will Survive," and "I Was Searching for Your Kisses." His tragic death has shocked not only his fans but also his fellow musicians.
Wilfrido Vargas, one of the biggest names in merengue, expressed his sadness on social media, describing him as "the best singer the genre has ever produced" and deeply mourning his passing.
Milly Quezada, another prominent figure, joined in the collective grief, describing Pérez as "the loudest voice of our merengue" and an "icon of Dominican music."
The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, declared three days of national mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings.
In his message, Abinader expressed his solidarity with the families affected by the tragedy and highlighted the ongoing effort of the rescue teams who have been working tirelessly.
The tragedy in Jet Set
The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub, one of the most popular nightlife venues in the capital occurred during the traditional Monday party, which attracts numerous attendees.
According to initial reports, the collapse was preceded by partial detachments from the ceiling, which allowed some people to evacuate the area in time, although not everyone was so fortunate.
The number of fatalities has rapidly increased, and there are fears that the victim count will continue to rise as rescue teams work on removing debris.
Other famous individuals who passed away during the collapse
The former Major League pitcher, Octavio Dotel, was also one of the fatalities in the Jet Set collapse. Although he was rescued alive from the rubble, he unfortunately passed away during his transfer to the hospital.
The renowned designer Martín Polanco, known in the fashion industry, also lost his life in the incident.
Government reaction
Authorities continue to work tirelessly to rescue those trapped in the rubble.
Despite the difficult situation, rescue teams have successfully recovered more than 150 people alive and continue to detect signs of life under the rubble, which gives hope of finding more survivors.
The National Police and the Emergency Operations Center (COE) have reiterated that the number of fatalities could rise, as there are still missing persons.
This tragic accident has left a deep mark on Dominican society, and many citizens and artists have come together to pay tribute to the victims, as well as to Rubby Pérez, whose legacy in music will always be remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions about the tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub and the death of Rubby Pérez
How did the collapse at the Jet Set nightclub occur that resulted in Rubby Pérez's death?
The collapse occurred while Rubby Pérez was performing at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, when the roof of the venue caved in, resulting in a tragedy that claimed the lives of 113 people, including Pérez himself. The incident was preceded by partial detachments in the ceiling, which allowed some people to evacuate in time, although not everyone was so fortunate.
What has been the Dominican government's response to the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub?
President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning in response to the tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub. Additionally, authorities have been working tirelessly on rescue efforts, managing to recover more than 150 people alive. The National Police and the Emergency Operations Center continue their efforts, warning that the number of deceased may rise.
Who was Rubby Pérez and what was his impact on merengue music?
Rubby Pérez was a prominent figure in merengue, known for his powerful voice and charisma. Since his debut in 1986, Pérez established himself as a pillar of the genre, performing iconic songs such as "Volveré" and "Sobreviviré." His tragic death has shocked his fans and colleagues, who describe him as an icon of Dominican music.
What other public figures died in the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub?
Among the fatalities of the collapse are former Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel and designer Martín Polanco. Dotel was rescued alive from the rubble, but unfortunately passed away during his transport to the hospital. The incident has left a deep mark on Dominican society and has united citizens and artists in tribute to the victims.
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