Tags: dominican republic nightclub roof collapse lawsuit

The First Lawsuit Is Filed over the Deadly Nightclub Roof Collapse in the Dominican Republic

Tuesday, 15 April 2025 08:01 PM EDT

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The first known lawsuit has been filed against the owners of a legendary nightclub whose roof collapsed and killed 231 people in the Dominican Republic.

The family of one victim sued Jet Set nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his mother, Ana Grecia López, along with the Dominican government and the Santo Domingo mayor’s office. It seeks unspecified damages from all and a criminal conviction for involuntary manslaughter against the owners.

The lawsuit was filed Monday by an attorney representing the widow and father of Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte.

A spokeswoman for the owners said they continue to cooperate with authorities.

On Monday, President Luis Abinader acknowledged there is no government agency responsible for supervising the construction of private businesses like the nightclub. He said the government is working on a bill to correct that.

It’s not clear what caused the roof to collapse early on April 8. Authorities have launched an investigation and created a technical team with local and international experts.

More than 400 people were at the club for a merengue concert headlined by singer Rubby Pérez, who was among the victims. Others killed include former professional baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera along with Nelsy Cruz, governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi, whose brother is seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.

Crews rescued 189 survivors, with eleven still hospitalized.

The government on Monday honored 565 rescue crew members, soldiers, firefighters, doctors and others who helped to save lives.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.


GlobalTalk
The first known lawsuit has been filed against the owners of a legendary nightclub whose roof collapsed and killed 231 people in the Dominican Republic.The family of one victim sued Jet Set nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his mother, Ana Grecia López, along with the...
dominican republic nightclub roof collapse lawsuit
251
2025-01-15
Tuesday, 15 April 2025 08:01 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved