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Tragic Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic Leads to Legal Action
The family of a police lieutenant who lost his life in a devastating nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic last week has initiated legal proceedings against the venue’s owners, marking a significant response to the tragedy that claimed 231 lives. The incident occurred during a merengue concert at the Jet Set music venue, where Lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte was in attendance.
Representatives for the Cruz Aponte family have filed manslaughter charges against both the owner and the management team of the Jet Set club, signaling the first of what could be multiple lawsuits as other families have expressed intentions to pursue similar legal actions.
Antonio Espaillat, the owner of Jet Set, released a video message stating his full cooperation with the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Authorities have indicated that this investigation will take several months to complete.
Amid the legal proceedings, the Cruz Aponte family has also pointed fingers at local government officials, alleging a failure to ensure the venue met critical safety standards. This assertion raises questions about regulatory oversight and accountability in the wake of such a catastrophic event.
As of Monday, the Interior Ministry reported that the death toll had unfortunately risen, with five more individuals succumbing to their injuries, bringing the total to 231. Interior Minister Faride Raful shared that 189 individuals had been rescued from the rubble, underscoring the magnitude of the emergency response effort.
The ill-fated concert featured renowned merengue artist Rubby Pérez, drawing a large crowd to the venue on that fateful evening. Tragically, both Pérez and a saxophonist from his band were among those who did not survive the collapse. However, Pérez’s daughter, Zulinka, who performed as a backing vocalist, managed to escape the disaster.
Reports from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed that casualties included two French nationals, a Haitian individual, and an Italian citizen. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that “several” American citizens were among those killed in the incident.
The repercussions of this tragedy have resonated far beyond the borders of the Dominican Republic, particularly within communities housing sizable Dominican populations, such as New York City. Notably, New York Mayor Eric Adams traveled to Santo Domingo over the weekend to pay his respects at the disaster site, emphasizing the deep connection he feels towards the Dominican community in New York.
“They are not merely my residents; I’ve considered them my family,” Adams remarked. “And what do family members do during times of mourning? They mourn with you,” he added, reflecting the shared grief felt by many following this tragic event.
Source
www.bbc.com