The tragic collapse of the Jet Set music venue has prompted significant legal action, with families pressing manslaughter charges against owners and local authorities for alleged safety oversights.
**Tragedy Strikes: Families of Nightclub Collapse Victims Seek Justice**
**Tragedy Strikes: Families of Nightclub Collapse Victims Seek Justice**
Families of victims from the Dominican Republic nightclub disaster take legal action against owners for negligence.
In the aftermath of the devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic, which claimed 231 lives last week, families of victims are seeking justice. The parents and wife of police lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, one of those who perished, have become the first to file legal charges against the club’s owners, citing manslaughter. A lawyer representing the Cruz Aponte family has accused the Jet Set’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, along with club managers, of culpability in the disaster.
In a video response, Espaillat claimed he is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which officials anticipate will take several months. Meanwhile, other families have expressed intentions to pursue lawsuits as well. The investigation is expected to scrutinize the local government's role, with the Cruz Aponte family also alleging neglect regarding adherence to safety regulations at the nightclub.
Interior Minister Faride Raful confirmed the increasing death toll, noting that five more victims succumbed to their injuries, and shared that 189 people had been rescued from the debris. Many were present during a merengue concert by the renowned singer Rubby Pérez when the disaster occurred. Tragically, Pérez and one of his saxophonists were killed, while Pérez’s daughter, Zulinka, miraculously survived.
The tragic incident has reverberated across communities, notably in New York City, home to a substantial Dominican population. Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo to show support, reflecting on the shared grief during this dark time. “They are not merely my residents; I've considered them my family,” he expressed, emphasizing the unity felt amidst the sorrow.
In a video response, Espaillat claimed he is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which officials anticipate will take several months. Meanwhile, other families have expressed intentions to pursue lawsuits as well. The investigation is expected to scrutinize the local government's role, with the Cruz Aponte family also alleging neglect regarding adherence to safety regulations at the nightclub.
Interior Minister Faride Raful confirmed the increasing death toll, noting that five more victims succumbed to their injuries, and shared that 189 people had been rescued from the debris. Many were present during a merengue concert by the renowned singer Rubby Pérez when the disaster occurred. Tragically, Pérez and one of his saxophonists were killed, while Pérez’s daughter, Zulinka, miraculously survived.
The tragic incident has reverberated across communities, notably in New York City, home to a substantial Dominican population. Mayor Eric Adams visited Santo Domingo to show support, reflecting on the shared grief during this dark time. “They are not merely my residents; I've considered them my family,” he expressed, emphasizing the unity felt amidst the sorrow.
