Two months after a deadly roof collapse at JetSet nightclub in Santo Domingo that killed 236 people, authorities have taken action. On Thursday, June 12, nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat were arrested and are currently in custody. According to PEOPLE, Dominican authorities now have 48 hours to bring official charges against them before a judge.
RELATED STORIES: 18 Killed, Over 120 Hospitalized, After Roof of Nightclub Collapses in Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s Attorney General’s Office released a statement condemning the siblings, saying they “displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club’s roof from collapsing.” The collapse didn’t just claim lives—it also left over 180 others injured.
Owner Previously Promised Cooperation But Now Faces Allegations
Back in April, Antonio spoke out in an emotional public apology, promising to cooperate with investigators. “There are no words to express the pain this event has caused,” he said during an April 23 interview. But now prosecutors say otherwise. Authorities claim the Espaillats went beyond negligence, allegedly intimidating employees who could be called to testify against them.
The club, a popular nightlife destination in Santo Domingo, was celebrating its 50th anniversary the night of the collapse. Iconic merengue singer Rubby Perez was headlining the celebration and tragically became one of the many victims.Over 515 guests were inside the venue when the roof caved in, instantly turning the joyous occasion into one of the deadliest mass casualty incidents in the country’s history.
Cause of the Collapse Still Under Investigation
As of now, the exact cause of the structural failure has yet to be confirmed. Experts and government officials continue to investigate whether poor maintenance, faulty design, or overcrowding contributed to the tragedy. What’s clear, however, is that prosecutors believe this wasn’t just a tragic accident—it was preventable.