New York City Mayor Eric Adams has traveled to the Dominican Republic to offer condolences following the catastrophic roof collapse at a nightclub that claimed the lives of more than 200 people.
According to reports, Adams arrived in Santo Domingo on Monday to pay tribute to the 226 victims who lost their lives on April 7, when the roof of Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a packed concert.
The visit holds deep significance for the city’s large Dominican population—nearly 700,000 Dominicans live in New York City, making up roughly 8% of its total population. Many in the community are mourning the devastating loss.
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Upon arrival, Adams met with police officials and local authorities before touring the collapse site. He was welcomed by dignitaries including Victor D’Aza, president of the Dominican Municipal League, which oversees mayors’ offices responsible for construction permits and project supervision.
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“This has to be a lesson for more effective supervision, for rigor in compliance with the rules. This is a wake-up call,” D’Aza said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Emergency crews managed to rescue 189 people from the rubble. However, 15 remain hospitalized—four of them in critical condition, according to health officials.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, and an official investigation is underway.
Later in the day, Adams was expected to attend a memorial Mass in honor of the victims.
His visit comes at a politically sensitive time, as he faces reelection amid a federal bribery probe and growing discontent among supporters over his perceived closeness to President Donald Trump—despite Adams’ longtime Democratic affiliation. Now positioning himself as an independent, the mayor’s trip also underscores his efforts to reconnect with key diaspora communities ahead of the next election cycle.
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