Rubby Pérez is currently in the hospital following the tragic roof collapse at a nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic that killed at least 44 people. On Tuesday, Pérez’s family confirmed that the merengue singer was still alive and transported to the hospital following the accident.
“He’s hospitalized, he’s inside, and we hope to God that he recovers soon,” the singer’s daughter, Zulinka Pérez, told press. “He’s injured, but he’s hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him. He’s always told me: ‘If something ever happens to me, cover me so no one takes pictures.’”
The singer was transferred to the Plaza de la Salud hospital where he’s receiving ongoing treatment. Pérez’s daughter, who’s a backup singer, was at the event when the roof collapsed but survived. According to NBC News, at least 44 people were killed in the accident and more than 146 ambulance transfers were made from the nightclub.
It’s unclear what led to the Jet Set nightclub roof to collapse, but the business owners said they were “fully and transparently cooperating with the relevant authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened.”
Montecristi Governor Nelsy Cruz was reportedly killed, as was the saxophonist who performed onstage with Pérez. Major League Baseball player Octavio Dotel was also injured as well.
“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
The number of patrons present at the time of the collapse is unknown at the moment. Jet Set holds a total capacity of 2,000, per Resident Advisor, and regularly hosts concert events on Monday evenings.
