Rescue teams searched through the debris of Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo on April 10, 2025, looking for bodies after the roof fell in during a merengue concert. AP Photo
Authorities arrested nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel in the Dominican Republic on Thursday. This comes after the roof of their popular club collapsed in April, killing 236 people and injuring over 180 more.
The arrest happened after both were questioned for hours. They haven’t been formally charged yet. Prosecutors have 48 hours to decide if charges will be filed.
Prosecutors Blame Negligence
The Attorney General’s Office said the Espaillats ignored serious safety concerns. Officials accused them of acting with "immense irresponsibility" by not stopping the collapse before it happened.
The statement also claimed that the pair tried to influence or threaten employees of the company who could be important witnesses.
Lawyers for the Espaillats have not released a statement.
Investigation Still Underway
A special government committee is still working to find the cause of the collapse. The team includes both local and international experts.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8. They worked non-stop for 53 hours and pulled 189 people from the rubble.
Many Well-Known Victims
The accident took many prominent lives. Among those killed was singer Rubby Pérez, who was on stage when the roof came down.
Nelsy Cruz, a provincial governor and sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz, also died in the collapse.
Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel was pulled from the wreckage but later died in hospital. Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera was another victim.
Other people who died included a retired UN official, New York fashion designer Martín Polanco, and an Army captain who left behind four daughters.
Also among the dead were three employees of a well-known financial group, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.
A Club with a Long History
The nightclub had been open for nearly 50 years. It was famous for its lively merengue parties every Monday. These events often drew celebrities and public figures from across the country and beyond.
Now, the future of the venue is uncertain. People across the country continue to mourn those lost in one of the deadliest tragedies in recent Dominican history.
