Latest news with #JetSet
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Jet Set owners charged with involuntary homicide after deadly roof collapse
The owners of Jet Set, a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where 236 people were killed when its roof collapsed during a live concert in early April, have been arrested and charged with involuntary homicide, the Dominican Republic's attorney general's office says. The establishment's roof collapsed in the small hours of April 8 with hundreds of concertgoers inside, prompting a multi-day search and rescue effort to find survivors and the deceased, the ordeal sparking outrage over the country's substandard building safety codes. Antonio Espaillat, a prominent Dominican businessman and the club's owner, who also runs dozens of local radio stations and several entertainment hubs, was arrested on Thursday after a former employee presented evidence proving that he had advised the owners, including Espaillat, to cancel the concert because the roof of the building was in a dangerously poor condition, according to reports by The New York Times. Story continues below advertisement According to NBC News, the man identified himself as former Jet Set employee Gregory Adamés during an interview with Altanto TV, a local Dominican digital news channel, which says he provided prosecutors with video of conversations with Espaillat where he advised that the ill-fated party shouldn't go ahead because the roof may collapse. 1:10 Death toll from Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse rises to 124 Espaillat was detained on Thursday after attending a hearing at the attorney general's office in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, his lawyer, Jorge Luis Polanco, confirmed. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Maribel Espaillat, Antonio's sister, who managed the club, has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter. View image in full screen Members of special police forces take Maribel Espaillat, sister of businessman Antonio Espaillat, into custody in Santo Domingo on June 15, 2025. STR / Getty Images In a statement published by the New York Times, the attorney general's office wrote that the siblings 'demonstrated immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to do what was necessary to ensure that the Jet Set Club's roof was adequately and expertly repaired,' adding that they had attempted to 'manipulate or intimidate' employees who could have been potential witnesses. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Aerial view shows rescue teams working at the Jet Set nightclub a day after the collapse of its roof in Santo Domingo on April 9, 2025. Rescuers raced to find survivors among the rubble of the nightclub where at least 124 people, including a former Major League Baseball star, were killed when the roof collapsed. Alfred Davies/ Getty Images It did not provide additional details. In an interview shortly after the disaster, Espaillat appeared to express remorse, telling the media that he was 'destroyed' by the fatal incident that killed 236 people, adding that if he could have prevented the collapse, he would have. 'There was no warning, nothing. We were all surprised,' he said. 'I'm going to face everything,' he added. 'I'm not going anywhere.' Espaillat did not attend the scene during rescue efforts over concerns for his safety, as angry crowds had gathered at the site. The club, which was founded 52 years ago by Espaillat's mother, Ana Grecia López, when he was just six years old, had become a pillar of the city's nightlife and was frequented by many high-profile individuals. Story continues below advertisement It remained in the same location for three decades before it collapsed in April with about 515 people inside, according to the owners. The victims of the collapse included seven doctors, a retired United Nations official, former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, the AP reported. It also killed merengue star Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof caved in. There is currently no government agency dedicated to inspecting the buildings of private businesses in the Dominican Republic, although President Luis Abinader announced after the collapse the introduction of new legislation, which is expected to change that. — With files from the Associated Press
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy goes viral as owner and sister arrested after roof collapse kills 236
In a dramatic development two months after one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in Caribbean history, Dominican Republic authorities have arrested nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat. The arrests come in connection with the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which killed 236 people and injured over 180 more on April 8. 🚨 Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse (Apr 8)Tragedy at Jet Set nightclub, Santo Domingo—roof collapsed at 12:44 am during Rubby Pérez's live merengue show98+ dead & 160+ injuredAmong victims: singer Pérez, ex-MLB players, & a provincial governor#DominicanRepublic Arrest follows national tragedy According to a statement from the Attorney General's Office, the siblings demonstrated 'immense irresponsibility and negligence' by failing to take preventive action, despite longstanding issues with the building's structure. Prosecutors now have 48 hours to formally present charges. At 12:34 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 the roof of the Jet Set Nightclub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic least 113 people were killed and another 155 injured including Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province and former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony… A night of celebration turns into horror The tragedy unfolded during a packed performance by legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Over 500 people had gathered to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary, a legacy venue passed down to the Espaillats from their mother. Among the dead were prominent figures, including Pérez himself, former MLB stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and sister of baseball icon Nelson Cruz. What was supposed to be a night of music and celebration quickly turned into an unspeakable catastrophe. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation. Tragedy in Dominican Republic: Nightclub Roof Collapse During Concert Kills 44, Including Province Governor. Longstanding warning signs While Antonio Espaillat claimed during a local television interview that 'there was no warning' the roof was compromised, he also admitted the venue had experienced routine water leakage from its air conditioning system for years. These filtration issues, prosecutors suggest, may have signalled the potential danger long before the collapse. 🎙 #EstaNocheMariasela | Caso Jet Set'Gregory advirtió… y no fue escuchado.'Así lo afirma el abogado Plinio Pina, representante de Gregory Adames, quien asegura que su cliente advirtió en múltiples ocasiones a Antonio Espaillat sobre el peligro que representaba el techo. During the same interview, Antonio stated he would cooperate fully and remain in the country to face any consequences. He expressed deep remorse, saying he felt 'completely destroyed' and that there were no words to convey the pain caused by the incident. Allegations of witness intimidation Authorities have also accused the Espaillats—described as influential figures in the Dominican Republic's entertainment and media industry—of attempting to manipulate or intimidate potential witnesses. The pair reportedly own several elite venues and dozens of radio stations across the country. President Luis Abinader addressed the nation on social media shortly after the tragedy, expressing heartfelt condolences and assuring citizens that rescue and relief efforts were being carried out with urgency. As the case unfolds, the country watches closely, demanding justice for the 236 lives lost in what is now considered one of the deadliest entertainment venue disasters in the region.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Tragic cause of nightclub roof collapse that killed 236 revealed as owners are accused of ignoring warning signs
The owners of a Dominican nightclub where a roof collapsed, killing 236 revelers, had ignored warning signs that a tragedy could strike, according to a new government report investigating the horror accident. Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, the sibling owners of Jet Set nightclub, were arrested last week, two months after the rooftop of the iconic club collapsed during an event, killing 236 attendees and injuring 150 more. The Public Prosecutor's Office in the Dominican Republic has sought preventative detention for Antonio and house arrest for his sister, according to Dominican Today. The prosecutors allege the duo's 'chain of actions and omissions... demonstrates a systematic pattern of irresponsibility and negligence.' Citing examples of such actions, a report from the office alleges the duo failed to get proper permits for the work they conducted on the nightclub, and conducted 'structural modifications without a technical basis, overloading the roof, deficient 'repairs' and disregard for danger warnings.' Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees who could have been used as witnesses in the case. Antonio Espaillat is considered a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic; he owns upscale entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations. The Public Ministry claimed in the report that on the night of the tragedy, Maribel 'was aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse.' She was asked to suspend the planned party for that evening but 'refused to do so.' In her refusal, Maribel allegedly 'cited the absence of Antonio... and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people.' The report stated the tragedy 'would have been entirely avoidable if the defendants had acted according to the law and valued life over money.' The nightclub owners allegedly overloaded the roof of the club with technical booths, six air conditioning units weighing between 15 and 20 tons each, and water tanks. They did this 'without conducting any study to guarantee the structure's capacity to support such weight,' the report stated. Additionally, 'the nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' prosecutors stated. 'A key column in the structure was subsequently removed, significantly affecting the roof's stability, without any professional assessment or permit to support the modification, demonstrating high-risk behavior.' Other changes which took place without oversight included installing a stage, lighting systems, bars, and VIP areas, prosecutors stated. Prosecutors allege the duo were completely aware that the roof was having problems and had received 'visual reports (photos and videos)' as well as 'communications from their employees.' In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, first responders worked through rubble and debris to find survivors. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. Once that was done and all the bodies were removed, the Public Ministry directed teams to preserve the debris to be inspected as part of the investigation. The victims included singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died in hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The relatives of several survivors have filed lawsuits against Antonio Espaillat. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. Miguel Valerio, the Espaillats' attorney, said earlier this week: 'This is an involuntary homicide. Nobody wanted that to happen.'
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Bombshell report reveals cause of Dominican Republic roof collapse that killed 236: ‘Complete disregard for building and safety laws'
The owners of the doomed Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where 236 people were buried alive earlier this year, ignored obvious warning signs and building safety laws, leading to the catastrophic collapse, a bombshell new government report reveals. Sibling club owners Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, who were arrested last week, overloaded the building's roof, made structural changes without permits and refused to call off the ill-fated April 8 bash despite obvious signs of danger hours earlier, the report said, according to Dominican Today. 'The defendant Maribel Espaillat, aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse and in response to a request to suspend the activity, refused to do so, citing the absence of the defendant Antonio Espaillat López and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people,' the Public Ministry document said. Advertisement 5 The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub on April 8 left 236 dead and 180 injured, rattling the Dominican Republic. REUTERS 5 A survivor is pulled from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic after the April 8 collapse. REUTERS 'The nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' investigators said. Advertisement 'A key column in the structure was subsequently removed, significantly affecting the roof's stability, without any professional assessment or permit to support the modification, demonstrating high-risk behavior.' The nightmarish mishap came in the midst of a celebration at the former hot spot, with the victims including popular performer Rubby Perez, the party's headliner, and former MLB relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. 5 Family and friends grieve during burial services for Marilenny Pilarte, who died in the Jet Set nightclub collapse. AP 5 A new Public Ministry report said negligence and disregard for building laws led to the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Also killed were Dominican ballplayer Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Other victims include a retired UN official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Authorities said 180 others were injured. 5 Mayor Eric Adams paid his respects to the victims of the Jet Set nightclub after the April 8 tragedy that killed 236. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Advertisement The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. According to the Spanish-language Dominican outlet Listin Diario, a complete investigation into the tragedy has been hampered by the overwhelming number of victims.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dominican nightclub owner arrested in deaths of 236 in roof collapse
June 13 (UPI) -- The owner of a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic is facing an involuntary homicide charge after 236 people died because the roof collapsed during a concert in April, prosecutors announced. Antonio Espaillat, whose family also owns a chain of radio stations, was questioned by the attorney general's office in the capital, Santo Domingo, on Thursday, The New York Times reported. He then was detained, his lawyer, Jorge Luis Polanco, said. Also arrested on the same charge was his sister Maribel Espaillat, who helped manage the club Jet Set. Authorities have 48 hours to seek charges before a judge. He was arrested after a club employee gave authorities evidence that showed he had warned the club's owners that they should cancel the concert on April 8 because the roof was in such poor condition and had been repeatedly repaired. "Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries," the attorney general's office said in a statement obtained by MSN. Also, the office also said they tried to "manipulate or intimidate" employees as potential witnesses. Plinio Pina, the employee's lawyer, told reporters Wednesday: "Our client presented, basically, evidence of conversations in which he gave an account of the situation at the nightclub in which he expressed his fears and apprehensions, and his suggestion that the event be suspended. And that was ignored." Satellite images showed equipment, including air-conditioning condensers, on the club's roof. An official report by the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings concluded that the nightclub's roof structure was in critical condition and showed signs of deterioration before the tragedy occurred. Antonio Espaillat, who was out of the country during the tragedy, and his mother owned Jet Set, which is about a block from the shore in Santo Domingo and was known for live music. The roof collapsed during a performance by the merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was known as the "highest voice in merengue." Perez died, as well as a Dominican governor, former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dorel and Tony Blanco, family members of prominent bankers, the city's director of urban infrastructure and the minister of public works' son. More than 70 civil lawsuits have been filed, including many from the nearly 200 survivors. Two weeks after the roof collapse, Antonio Espaillat said in a television interview that the club's ceiling panels often got soaked from water leaking from the air conditioning. Workers replaced ceiling panels on the same day of the fatal concert. He said he didn't know how bad the situation was. "The first thing I want to say is that I have a very great pain," he said."I regret all the losses with all my soul." One day after the roof collapse, there were 184 deaths and 155 injuries reported. Also, 145 people were rescued from the wreckage in the first 24 hours, Juan Manuel Mendez, the director of the Emergency Operations Center. Rescue workers from Israel and Puerto Rico assisted.
