Human Rights Abuses Rise as Dominican Republic Intensifies Deportations of Haitians

Rescue operations concluded on Wednesday at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, following a catastrophic roof collapse that resulted in 184 confirmed deaths. According to emergency personnel, the updated count reflects an increase of 60 fatalities since Wednesday morning. Rescue efforts have transitioned to the recovery of bodies, as officials stated "all reasonable possibilities of finding more survivors" had been exhausted. More than 300 rescue workers participated in the search, enduring challenging conditions as they combed through debris, supported by international teams from Puerto Rico and Israel. Eyewitness accounts revealed chaos during the incident, which occurred around 12:44 AM on Tuesday while merengue singer Rubby Perez performed to a crowded audience. Reports indicated the club was at full capacity, housing between 500 to 1,000 attendees. Tributes have poured in for the victims, including Perez and former Major League Baseball players, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to express condolences and confirm at least one U.S. citizen was among the deceased. President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning in response to the country's worst disaster in decades.

At least 15 people have died following the collapse of the roof at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday morning, according to emergency services. The incident occurred during a performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was among those trapped in the debris. Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the fatalities and expressed hope for finding survivors, as rescue operations are ongoing. Reports suggest that numerous individuals are injured, but specific numbers remain unverified. Local media indicate that dozens may have suffered injuries. More than 370 rescue workers are actively searching for victims amid fears of those still trapped, with some reportedly calling for help from the rubble. President Luis Abinader stated on X that the government is closely monitoring the situation and emphasized continuous support from rescue teams. He extended condolences to the affected families, stating that all necessary assistance is being provided. The nightclub, popular for hosting weekly events, did not release information on attendance figures at the time of the collapse.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by Stephen Gougeon, a Canadian, against the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham Resort in the Dominican Republic after his wife, April, and their eight-year-old son, Oliver, died from complications related to food poisoning. According to the lawsuit, which seeks nearly $7 million, the family fell ill shortly after dining at the resort's buffet in late December. Gougeon stated that both his wife and son were hospitalized and passed away within 24 hours of their arrival. A coroner's report cited secondary causes related to food poisoning as their official cause of death. The lawsuit accuses the resort of failing to maintain sanitary food preparation standards and providing inadequate medical assistance. "These delays cost precious time that could have been used to treat our illness," Gougeon lamented. Air Transat, another defendant in the case, expressed deep sadness over the incident but denied the allegations. Both Wyndham Hotels and Air Transat have been called to respond to the claims in court.