The family of a victim from the Jet Set nightclub collapse, which resulted in 231 deaths, has initiated legal proceedings, with an investigation continuing into safety compliance and potential negligence.**
Legal Action Emerges Following Devastating Dominican Republic Nightclub Collapse**
Legal Action Emerges Following Devastating Dominican Republic Nightclub Collapse**
Families of victims begin to take legal steps against club owners after tragic incident**
The parents and spouse of Police Lieutenant Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, who tragically lost his life in the catastrophic nightclub roof collapse in the Dominican Republic last week, have become the first to file legal action against the Jet Set club's owners. Cruz Aponte was among the 231 victims killed during the disaster that struck during a merengue concert.
The Cruz Aponte family has lodged manslaughter charges against both the owner, Antonio Espaillat, and the club's management. Their attorney has indicated that similar lawsuits are being sought by other affected families. Espaillat stated in a video message his commitment to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which officials warn may take several months to complete.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Cruz Aponte family has also highlighted issues with local government oversight, citing negligence regarding safety regulation enforcement for the venue. As of Monday, the Interior Minister announced that the death toll had risen to 231 as more individuals succumbed to injuries.
The incident has had a wide-reaching impact, particularly on the Dominican diaspora in cities such as New York, where Mayor Eric Adams has shown solidarity by visiting the disaster site. He referred to the victims as family members and expressed condolences during this period of collective mourning.
Among the dead were two French citizens, an Italian, and a Haitian, underscoring the international ramifications of this tragedy. Survivors, including Zulinka Pérez, a backing singer and daughter of the deceased merengue star Rubby Pérez, have shared harrowing accounts of their escape from the rubble while the investigation unfolds.
The Cruz Aponte family has lodged manslaughter charges against both the owner, Antonio Espaillat, and the club's management. Their attorney has indicated that similar lawsuits are being sought by other affected families. Espaillat stated in a video message his commitment to fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which officials warn may take several months to complete.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Cruz Aponte family has also highlighted issues with local government oversight, citing negligence regarding safety regulation enforcement for the venue. As of Monday, the Interior Minister announced that the death toll had risen to 231 as more individuals succumbed to injuries.
The incident has had a wide-reaching impact, particularly on the Dominican diaspora in cities such as New York, where Mayor Eric Adams has shown solidarity by visiting the disaster site. He referred to the victims as family members and expressed condolences during this period of collective mourning.
Among the dead were two French citizens, an Italian, and a Haitian, underscoring the international ramifications of this tragedy. Survivors, including Zulinka Pérez, a backing singer and daughter of the deceased merengue star Rubby Pérez, have shared harrowing accounts of their escape from the rubble while the investigation unfolds.
