Máximo Peña, a regular at the Jet Set nightclub, had attended the popular venue for decades, often bringing his family along. Tragically, this latest visit turned fatal when the roof collapsed while Dominican singer Rubby Pérez was performing, burying Máximo, his wife, and his sister under the debris. As rescue workers operated frantically to find survivors, Shailyn Peña, his 17-year-old daughter, found herself among those anxiously awaiting news outside the shattered venue.
"I haven't heard any news about any of them," Shailyn shared in despair, reflecting on the unpredictability of life. "It was just another Monday night for them." While Shailyn experienced fleeting relief knowing her cousin was on the recovery team searching for her father, a deep sense of helplessness loomed over her as she grappled with the uncertainty.
As search efforts progressed, the government announced that grim outcomes were inevitable; all reasonable chances of finding survivors had been exhausted. Shailyn could only watch as teams emerged from the ruins, carrying the bodies of those lost, covered with blankets—a stark reminder of her family's situation.
Initially, hope surged as rescue teams reported saving 189 lives, yet this glimmer of light faded as conditions worsened and the situation necessitated a shift from rescue to recovery operations. President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning in recognition of the tragedy’s scale, which resonated throughout the country. Among the deceased were notable public figures cherished by the community, further magnifying the impact of the disaster.
As recovery efforts continued, speculation about the cause of the collapse led many to blame a fire that occurred at the nightclub two years prior, raising questions concerning whether repairs were adequately handled. Jet Set owner Antonio Espaillat expressed condolences in a social media address, pledging full cooperation with authorities on the investigation.
As the investigation unfolds and rescue operations draw to a close, Shailyn faces challenges far beyond those of her peers. As her birthday approaches, she learns her younger stepsisters are aware of the family’s turmoil, as they were informed by schoolmates, causing them panic.
This year, instead of a celebration, Shailyn finds herself caught in the midst of sorrow, enduring a day overshadowed by the tragic loss of her father. Tragically, she represents a deep pain felt by many who have lost loved ones in this catastrophic collapse, framing it as one of the darkest chapters in modern Dominican history.
