The family of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, who was among the victims in the recent fatal nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic, has become the first to file legal charges against the owners of the establishment. The Jet Set club, where the tragic incident occurred during a merengue concert, has drawn widespread attention following the death toll, which has reached 231 as of recent reports. The Cruz Aponte family is pursuing manslaughter charges against the nightclub's owner, Antonio Espaillat, along with the club's managers. Other families affected by the collapse have indicated intentions to follow suit with their own lawsuits.
In a video, Espaillat stated his full cooperation with an investigation that is expected to take months, as concerns are raised about safety regulations at the venue. The lawyer representing the Cruz Aponte family additionally accused local officials of failing to enforce safety compliance. On the night of the disaster, it's reported that approximately 189 individuals were rescued from the wreckage, while many others were trapped inside when tragedy struck during a performance by acclaimed merengue artist Rubby Pérez, who also lost his life in the collapse.
Zulinka, Pérez's daughter and backing singer, was fortunate to escape, though the event has cast a long shadow over the community. The impact is felt beyond local borders, with Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, expressing solidarity with the grieving families during his recent visit to the site of the disaster. His remarks underscored the familial bond shared among the Dominican community both locally and abroad.
