Following the devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where 231 people tragically lost their lives, the family of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte has become the first to file charges against the club’s owners. This comes as many survivors and grieving families grapple with the aftermath of the disaster.
The Cruz Aponte family’s lawyer announced they are pursuing manslaughter charges against both the owner, Antonio Espaillat, and the venue's management. “We are also holding the local government accountable for failing to enforce necessary safety regulations,” the lawyer stated.
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of utter chaos during the incident, which occurred at a crowded concert featuring popular merengue artist Rubby Pérez, both he and a saxophonist were among the deceased. The rocky road ahead includes a lengthy investigation, as officials emphasize it may take months to determine the root causes of the collapse.
With reports of deceased individuals from various nationalities, including French and Italian citizens, the tragic news has reverberated internationally. In a show of solidarity with the Dominican community, New York Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo, emphasizing that during times of mourning, “family members… mourn with you.”
