A roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has claimed the lives of at least 184 individuals, leaving many more injured. Among those expressing their sorrow is the renowned rapper Cardi B, deeply connected to the Dominican Republic through her heritage.
Cardi took to social media to share her grief and condolences with her fans, particularly those in her BG Secret Society community.
“I’m in literal tears, scrolling down my timeline seeing my Dominican people being rescued, some [with] lives and some gone,” she wrote. “I’m sad, seeing families crying, desperately in pain looking for loved ones. I feel like every Dominican around the world is in a big hora Santa (holy hour of prayer), praying for survivors and praying for the ones that are gone to be in God’s Glory.”
Cardi emphasized the importance of cherishing the memories of those who lost their lives, encouraging families to focus on the joy their loved ones brought to the world.
“For the people who lost a family or a friend, don’t have bad memories; they left this earth singing and dancing and most likely happy and enjoying themselves,” she wrote.
Notable celebrities died in Dominican roof collapse
Among the deceased was merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the Jet Set nightclub when the roof collapsed, and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. Former major leaguer Nelson Cruz also lost his sister, Nelsy, who was governor of Monte Cristi, one of the DR’s 31 provinces.
Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, confirmed that Pérez was initially reported missing but was later found alive, singing, before being rushed to the hospital where he died.
“It’s so heartbreaking to see one of our iconic artists … leave in such a tragic way,” Cardi wrote. “I’m glad our final memory of him was him sharing his beautiful voice to us.”
In her tribute, Cardi also shared a poignant image of a ribbon over a map of the DR on her Instagram Story, symbolizing her solidarity with those affected by this tragedy.
Impact of the tragedy
The roof collapse has left a significant mark on the community, with at least 155 individuals hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident.
As the nation mourns, Cardi B’s heartfelt message serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the Dominican people. Her call for prayers and support for those affected resonates deeply within the community, encouraging unity in the face of adversity.
