The parents and wife of Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, a police lieutenant and one of the 231 victims of the Jet Set nightclub collapse, have been the first to file charges against the establishment's owners. This tragic incident occurred during a packed merengue concert, marking one of the nation's deadliest accidents in recent memory.
The family's attorney announced they are seeking manslaughter charges against club owner Antonio Espaillat and the management team. Other bereaved families are considering similar legal actions, highlighting the communal grief and quest for accountability. Espaillat, in a video message, asserted his commitment to cooperating with ongoing investigations to uncover the reasons behind the tragic event.
According to local authorities, the investigation into the collapse is anticipated to take several months. The Cruz Aponte family has also implicated local government in their legal claims, accusing them of neglecting safety regulations necessary for the nightclub’s operation.
As of Monday, Interior Minister Faride Raful reported that the death toll had risen to 231 after several more individuals succumbed to injuries. The emergency operations managed to rescue 189 people from the wreckage of the venue, which had been hosting fans for a special performance by renowned merengue star Rubby Pérez at the time of the collapse.
Many were deeply affected by the tragedy, including Pérez’s daughter Zulinka, who was performing as a backing singer and luckily escaped the debris. Among those listed among the deceased were foreign nationals, including two French citizens, a Haitian, and an Italian. The situation has resonated beyond the Dominican Republic, especially in communities with significant Dominican populations such as New York City.
In a show of solidarity, New York Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo, expressing his sorrow and support for the victims' families. "In times of mourning, we unite as family,” Adams conveyed, emphasizing the bond between Dominicans in New York and their homeland.
