Miami Holds Vigil for Victims of Dominican Republic Nightclub Collapse 🇩🇴💔

April 11, 2025

Grief doesn’t need a passport — and last night, Miami showed up for the DR.

On Wednesday night, the Allapattah neighborhood came together in full force, holding a candlelight vigil at Juan Pablo Duarte Park to honor the victims of the devastating nightclub collapse in Santo Domingo, where 200+ lives were lost in a tragedy that’s left the Dominican community heartbroken.

💔 What happened:

During a performance by merengue legend Rubby Pérez at Jet Set nightclub, the roof collapsed — turning what should’ve been a night of music into unimaginable loss.

Among the victims: – 🎤 Rubby Pérez, a voice that shaped generations
– ⚾️ Octavio Dotel & Tony Blanco, both former MLB pros
– 🕊 Nelsy Cruz, a local governor and the sister of All-Star Nelson Cruz

📍 At the heart of it:

Juan Pablo Duarte Park, a major cultural hub for Dominicans in South Florida, became a space for healing. People lit candles, shared prayers, and embraced through tears — standing side-by-side in collective grief.