In a devastating turn of events, Shailyn Peña found herself waiting for news about her father, Máximo Peña, who was among the 218 people trapped beneath the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo while attending a concert. Typically a staple of her father’s Monday nights for three decades, this week's outing turned into a nightmare after the roof caved in during the performance by renowned Dominican artist Rubby Pérez.
Shailyn, now enduring the unthinkable on her birthday, sat somberly outside the ruins, as rescue teams—comprising 300 workers from local and international search groups—worked tirelessly to locate survivors. "All I want is to know he’s okay," she shared, reflecting on her father's absence and the uncertainty surrounding his fate.
Hopes surged earlier in the day when reports emerged of 189 rescues, but reality set in as the government announced that the search-and-rescue phase would transition to recovery, with little hope of finding more alive. This included the tragic loss of notable figures alongside ordinary concert-goers, deepening the tragedy's impact on the nation.
“We’re coming to terms with the loss,” Shailyn said. The emotional strain amplified as younger siblings learned about their father’s peril from classmates, leading to an atmosphere of fear and dread within the family.
As three days of national mourning commenced, the authorities continue to uncover the grim results, while key questions about the nightclub's structural integrity took shape. Some speculated that a previous fire at the venue could have played a role in the collapse, prompting scrutiny from investigators.
In a message of condolences, the nightclub's owner assured families of cooperation with ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, for Shailyn, this birthday marks a somber milestone in a day typically filled with joy now overshadowed by grief, as she clings to memories of family gatherings that now seem a distant reality.
