Nightclub Roof Collapse in Santo Domingo Kills Over 100; Minor Earthquake Jolts East; Beach Volleyball Qualifiers Underway

SANTO DOMINGO, September 19, 2025 - A nightclub roof collapsed during a sold-out concert in the Gazcue district of Santo Domingo today, killing more than 100 people and injuring dozens, as a light magnitude-3.1 earthquake struck near La Altagracia province and the Beach Volleyball World Championship qualifying tournament opened in Punta Cana.

A packed crowd at Club Eclipse in Gazcue was celebrating the launch of a popular local band when the metal-sheet roof gave way around 10:15 p.m., sending debris onto the dance floor. Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue survivors from the wreckage and transport the critically injured to nearby hospitals.

The collapse marks the deadliest structural disaster in the Dominican Republic in over two decades, prompting President Abinader to declare a national day of mourning and order an immediate safety audit of all entertainment venues nationwide.

Less than four hours before the collapse, residents reported feeling tremors as a magnitude-3.1 earthquake struck 14.6 km southwest of Salvaleón de Higüey, in the La Altagracia province. There were no reports of damage or injuries, and seismic authorities classified it as a minor event caused by shallow crustal movements in the Caribbean Plate boundary zone.

Meanwhile, in Punta Cana, teams from across North and Central America gathered at Arena Bávaro for the start of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball World Championship qualifiers. Twenty-one men’s and women’s pairs will compete over three days for a limited number of spots in next month’s global finals, highlighting the nation’s growing profile as a sports tourism destination.

Nightclub Disaster Response

  • President Luis Abinader has dispatched the national disaster response unit to Santo Domingo and appealed for international medical support.
  • Forensic teams and building inspectors have secured the site; early indications suggest substandard construction and lack of routine maintenance.

Seismic Activity

  • The quake registered at a depth of 10 km; the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at 1:30 a.m. local time.
  • Officials reminded residents that the island lies near a complex fault system and urged adherence to building codes.

Sporting Event Boost

  • Organizers expect over 5,000 spectators and athletes to participate in the qualifiers through Sunday.
  • The Dominican Volleyball Federation has partnered with the Tourism Ministry to promote local resorts and cultural attractions.