The aftermath of a tragic nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic last week has seen the first legal action taken against the venue's owners. The family of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, one of the 231 fatalities from the disaster, has initiated manslaughter charges against the operators of Jet Set nightclub, where the incident occurred.
The club’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, stated in a video message that he is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the causes of the collapse. The attorney representing the Cruz Aponte family has also accused local authorities of failing to enforce safety regulations that could have prevented the tragedy.
As the investigation unfolds, which officials predict will extend over several months, more families are planning to file their own lawsuits. Interior Minister Faride Raful confirmed that five additional victims had succumbed to their injuries, raising the confirmed death toll from the accident.
At the time of the incident, hundreds were gathered in the venue for a concert featuring well-known merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who also tragically lost his life during the collapse. Pérez's daughter, Zulinka, survived, but the impact of the tragedy resonates far beyond the Dominican borders.
In a display of solidarity, New York Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo to pay his respects, emphasizing the deep connections between the Dominican diaspora and their homeland. "They are not merely my residents; I’ve considered them my family," he stated during his visit. As vigils continue across the region, the emotional toll of this catastrophe is felt widely among affected communities.
