Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – April 8, 2025
A tragic roof collapse at a packed nightclub in the Dominican Republic late Saturday night has left at least 58 people dead, including a former professional baseball player, in one of the deadliest structural disasters in the country’s recent history.
The incident occurred at “Club Eclipse,” a popular nightlife venue in the coastal city of San Pedro de Macorís, as a crowd of over 200 people gathered for a live music event. According to eyewitnesses and local officials, the building’s roof gave way shortly after midnight, sending concrete and steel crashing down onto patrons inside.
Emergency responders worked through the night, digging through rubble in search of survivors. By Sunday afternoon, officials confirmed 58 fatalities and more than 70 injured, with several in critical condition.
Among the deceased was José “El Toro” Ramirez, 42, a former MLB player who had spent seven seasons with various teams in the United States before retiring and returning to his hometown. Ramirez had reportedly been attending the event with friends and family.
“He was more than a baseball player—he was a community hero,” said Mayor Luis del Rosario at a press conference. “This is a devastating loss for San Pedro and the nation.”
Initial investigations suggest that recent renovations to the building may have compromised its structural integrity. Authorities confirmed that the nightclub had not undergone a safety inspection in over five years, despite multiple complaints about overcrowding and poor ventilation.
President Luis Abinader declared a national day of mourning and promised a full investigation. “Those responsible for this negligence will be held accountable,” he said in a televised address. “The lives lost here demand justice.”
Videos from the scene, circulating widely on social media, show the moment of the collapse as music is interrupted by a thunderous crack, followed by chaos and screams. Survivors describe scenes of panic and confusion as the roof crumbled without warning.
Civil defense officials continue to search the wreckage, fearing the death toll may still rise.
This tragedy has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and public safety regulations across the Dominican Republic.
