The parents and wife of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, who perished in the recent Jet Set nightclub roof collapse, have filed the first legal action against the venue's owners. Cruz Aponte was among the 231 individuals who lost their lives during the incident, which occurred amid a vibrant merengue concert at the popular music venue. A lawyer representing the Cruz Aponte family has accused the nightclub's owner, Antonio Espaillat, along with the management team, of manslaughter due to alleged negligence.
Other families of victims have stated their intent to pursue similar legal avenues. In response to the tragic event, Espaillat assured that he is fully cooperating with authorities investigating the circumstances behind the structure's catastrophic failure. Reports indicate that the inquiry may take several months to complete, as officials continue to assess the situation.
In addition to the nightclub's management, the Cruz Aponte family's attorney pointed fingers at local government entities for failing to uphold necessary safety regulations related to the establishment. The recent death toll has escalated as five more individuals succumbed to their injuries, raising the number of deceased to 231. Interior Minister Faride Raful confirmed 189 individuals were rescued from the rubble following the collapse.
The fateful evening drew a sizable crowd eager to hear from merengue star Rubby Pérez, who also tragically died alongside a saxophonist during the disaster. Notably, Pérez's daughter, Zulinka, survived the collapse, escaping from the debris that trapped so many. The tragedy also affected foreign nationals, with reports revealing casualties including two French citizens, a Haitian, and an Italian, in addition to several United States citizens who were affected.
The emotional and physical aftermath of the collapse has reverberated internationally, especially in regions with large Dominican populations. New York Mayor Eric Adams, in a show of solidarity, traveled to Santo Domingo to pay respects at the disaster site, expressing his connectedness to the community. "These are not just my residents; I've considered them my family, and in times of mourning, family members come together," he conveyed during his visit.
