Family Takes Legal Action After Deadly Nightclub Roof Collapse in the Dominican Republic

Following the tragic collapse of the Jet Set nightclub's roof during a concert, the family of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte has taken legal action, filing manslaughter charges against the club's management. The disaster, which claimed 231 lives, has prompted multiple families to consider legal recourse while the investigation unfolds.

The parents and wife of a victim from the recent nightclub disaster in the Dominican Republic have become the first to take legal action against the owners of the Jet Set music venue. Police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte was among the 231 individuals who lost their lives when the roof of the club caved in during a merengue concert last week. The Cruz Aponte family has filed manslaughter charges against the club’s owners and managers, with other families expressing intentions to pursue similar lawsuits.

In a video statement, Jet Set owner Antonio Espaillat assured that he is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation into the incident's causes. Authorities have indicated that this investigation may take several months to complete. As part of the legal proceedings, a lawyer representing the Cruz Aponte family also pointed fingers at local government officials, accusing them of failing to enforce safety regulations that would have prevented such a tragedy.

The death toll was updated on Monday, as Interior Minister Faride Raful confirmed that five more individuals succumbed to their injuries, raising the count to 231. Despite the grim statistics, Raful noted that 189 people were rescued from the debris. At the time of the collapse, the venue was bustling with hundreds of attendees enjoying the performance of renowned merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who, along with a saxophonist in his band, tragically lost their lives during the incident.

Zulinka, the daughter of Pérez and a backing singer in his band, was fortunate enough to escape the wreckage. Among the deceased were also two French citizens, a Haitian, an Italian national, and several U.S. citizens, as confirmed by the U.S. State Department. The heartbreaking impact of the tragedy is being felt not just in the Dominican Republic, but also in cities with significant Dominican populations, including New York City.

In a show of solidarity, New York Mayor Eric Adams visited the disaster site in Santo Domingo, expressing his grief and connection to the Dominican community. "They are not merely my residents; I've considered them my family... And what do family members do during times of mourning? They mourn with you," he said.