Dominican Republic: Family sues nightclub owners over deadly roof collapse

A family has filed the first lawsuit against owners of Jet Set nightclub after the fatal roof collapse in Santo Domingo.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday, April 14, 2025, follows the April 8 incident that claimed 231 lives during a merengue concert.

According to reports, the widow and father of Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte filed the lawsuit through their legal representative against several parties.

They sued nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat, his mother Ana Grecia López, the Dominican government and the Santo Domingo mayor’s office.

The family seeks compensation and a criminal conviction for involuntary manslaughter against the nightclub owners named in the suit.

A spokeswoman for the owners declined comment but confirmed ongoing cooperation with authorities investigating the tragic nightclub disaster.

President Luis Abinader admitted there is no agency supervising private building construction, including businesses like Jet Set nightclub.

He announced a proposed bill to address the loophole and improve safety standards in privately owned establishments nationwide.

Authorities have begun investigating the collapse’s cause and assembled a technical team of both local and international structural experts.

The incident occurred while over 400 people attended a merengue concert headlined by popular Dominican singer Rubby Pérez.

Rubby Pérez was among those killed, along with many others, in the early morning nightclub roof collapse.

Former baseball stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera also died in the tragic incident on April 8.

Nelsy Cruz, Montecristi province governor and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, was another high-profile casualty of the collapse.

Rescue teams managed to save 189 people from the wreckage while eleven survivors remain hospitalized under intensive medical care.

On Monday, the Dominican government honoured 565 rescue personnel including soldiers, doctors, firefighters, and emergency responders for their heroic actions.

The country continues mourning the victims of one of its most devastating civilian disasters in recent memory.

Government officials have pledged justice and accountability for the tragedy, promising that those responsible will face legal consequences.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook