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The impacts of a roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic are being felt across Massachusetts, as a popular Lawrence restaurant owner lost his life and Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez prays for family members reportedly stuck under the rubble.
Bay State resident Fray Luis Rosario, who owned Terra Luna Cafe in Lawrence and a couple of restaurants in Providence, is one of the at least 124 people who have died in connection with the roof collapse at Jet Set discotheque in Santo Domingo.
Dominican officials are calling for people to remain calm, saying they had already delivered 28 bodies to their families but did not yet have a tally of all the bodies recovered. More than 250 people were hurt when the roof collapsed early Tuesday morning.
Rescue crews continued searching for survivors on Wednesday, as officials said they had rescued at least 145 survivors from the wreckage.
Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña extended his “deepest condolences to the victims and families affected” and ordered the American flag to be placed at half-mast on Wednesday – a gesture he called a “symbol of our shared grief and our united hearts in the face of this devastating tragedy.”
DePeña is inviting community members to attend a vigil at 4 p.m. on Thursday next to City Hall. Lawrence’s Dominican population of about 50,000 is the second largest in the country, only trailing New York City.
“To our Dominican brothers and sisters, please know you are not alone,” he said in a statement. “The people of Lawrence stand with you. May God bring comfort to every grieving heart and grant peace to all those affected.”
The legendary Jet Set club was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks early Tuesday.
Minutes later, the entire roof collapsed. Concrete slabs killed some instantly and trapped dozens of others on a dancefloor where hundreds had been dancing to a lively merengue concert. The country’s 911 system quickly received more than 100 calls, many from people buried under rubble.
Dominican-born Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who helped the Red Sox win their first World Series in 86 years in 2004, said Tuesday night he had family members unaccounted for who were inside the nightclub when the roof collapsed.
“We are all affected,” Martinez said. “I still have family members who are still in the rubbles and we don’t know what happened to them. But we just want to be strong, like we have always been. We’re a country that prays a lot and remains united all the time, so I just hope everybody has the same courage.”
Lawrence City Councilor Vivian Marmol posted on social media that she had been with Rosario three weeks ago, sharing “thoughts, discussions, laughs, drinks, talking about Lawrence’s future.”
“You loved how much I laughed at everything and called me ‘giggles,’” Marmol wrote of Rosario in her post on Wednesday, “and I loved how you were so vibrant, funny and charming. You are an icon in our community, a visionary and Terra Luna will always be home to many in Lawrence City.”
So far, only a few dozen people have been identified in one of the worst disasters to hit the Dominican Republic. Local media reported that those who died include a cardiologist, a government architect, a retired police officer and the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth.
Those who died include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before disaster struck. Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, also lost their lives.
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, whose district includes Lawrence, posted on social media Wednesday that she and her team “have been in constant communication with the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Embassy in Washington, and families of the victims here in Massachusetts.”
“We are doing everything we can to support the families affected,” Trahan said,ensuring they have accurate information, access to resources, and the support they need during this incredibly difficult time. We will continue working around the clock.”
Archbishop of Boston Richard Henning says he is praying for all of those affected.
“In these moments of deep sorrow, we, the people of God, are called to come together in prayer, and mutual support,” Henning said in a statement, “remembering that fraternal love and compassion are our greatest strengths in the face of suffering and pain.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
