Today the Dominican Republic is in mourning. Tragedy has touched the entire country and, although it occurred in a few square meters, in a venue on Independencia Avenue, more than ten million Dominicans knew or knew of the existence of someone who is no longer alive today due to the collapse of the roof of the Jet Set nightclub, early Tuesday morning.
The country is in the spotlight worldwide, as President Luis Abinader said last Monday in his speech La Semanal, but what the president —nor the Dominican people— never imagined is that in less than eight hours this was going to be because of a tragedy, and not because of the international events that were being announced with honor.
Heads of State, government officials, great artists, entrepreneurs, and media from around the world have spoken out about the event that has claimed the lives of more than 218 people, according to the latest report issued by the COE on the morning of this Thursday.
The Jet Set tragedy has been the largest accident to occur in the country in recent decades, an unprecedented event for the entire region, and which has moved —because it involves human lives— people from all over the planet.
Today the Dominican Republic is in mourning. Dozens of families mourn the loss of a relative, a friend, or a popular figure like merengue singer Rubby Pérez or former baseball player Octavio Dotel.
There are no words that can serve as consolation for those who today suffer such an unexpected and fatal loss as the one that has occurred. But what we do know is that the Dominican people are strong, that blessings have never been lacking, and that this event will be overcome, although it will never be forgotten.