The owners of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, have been arrested following a tragic incident in which the club’s roof collapsed during a live concert. This disaster occurred in the early hours of April 8, claiming the lives of 236 people and sparking widespread outrage over building safety standards in the country.
Antonio Espaillat, the nightclub’s owner and a well-known businessman with ties to local media, was taken into custody after a former employee provided evidence that he had warned against holding the concert due to the poor condition of the roof. The employee, Gregory Adamés, shared video recordings of conversations where he advised Espaillat and others to cancel the event for safety reasons.
The collapse led to a frantic search for survivors and victims, drawing attention to the inadequate building safety regulations in the Dominican Republic. Espaillat was arrested after a hearing at the attorney general’s office, where he expressed deep regret about the incident, stating that he was devastated and surprised by what happened. He claimed he would have prevented the tragedy if he had known it was going to occur.
Maribel Espaillat, Antonio’s sister and the club manager, has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter. The attorney general’s office criticized the siblings for their negligence in ensuring the roof was properly maintained and for allegedly trying to intimidate potential witnesses.
The Jet Set nightclub was a popular venue with a long history, founded by Antonio’s mother over 50 years ago. It was known for hosting high-profile events and had around 515 people inside at the time of the collapse. Among the deceased were notable figures, including former Major League Baseball players and a merengue star who was performing when the roof fell.
In the wake of the disaster, President Luis Abinader announced plans for new legislation aimed at improving building safety inspections in the country, highlighting a significant gap in oversight for private businesses. The tragedy has raised serious questions about the safety of public venues and the responsibilities of their owners.