Latest news with #RubbyPérez
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy goes viral as owner and sister arrested after roof collapse kills 236
In a dramatic development two months after one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in Caribbean history, Dominican Republic authorities have arrested nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat. The arrests come in connection with the roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which killed 236 people and injured over 180 more on April 8. 🚨 Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse (Apr 8)Tragedy at Jet Set nightclub, Santo Domingo—roof collapsed at 12:44 am during Rubby Pérez's live merengue show98+ dead & 160+ injuredAmong victims: singer Pérez, ex-MLB players, & a provincial governor#DominicanRepublic Arrest follows national tragedy According to a statement from the Attorney General's Office, the siblings demonstrated 'immense irresponsibility and negligence' by failing to take preventive action, despite longstanding issues with the building's structure. Prosecutors now have 48 hours to formally present charges. At 12:34 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 the roof of the Jet Set Nightclub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic least 113 people were killed and another 155 injured including Nelsy Cruz, governor of the Monte Cristi province and former MLB players, Octavio Dotel and Tony… A night of celebration turns into horror The tragedy unfolded during a packed performance by legendary merengue singer Rubby Pérez. Over 500 people had gathered to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary, a legacy venue passed down to the Espaillats from their mother. Among the dead were prominent figures, including Pérez himself, former MLB stars Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and sister of baseball icon Nelson Cruz. What was supposed to be a night of music and celebration quickly turned into an unspeakable catastrophe. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation. Tragedy in Dominican Republic: Nightclub Roof Collapse During Concert Kills 44, Including Province Governor. Longstanding warning signs While Antonio Espaillat claimed during a local television interview that 'there was no warning' the roof was compromised, he also admitted the venue had experienced routine water leakage from its air conditioning system for years. These filtration issues, prosecutors suggest, may have signalled the potential danger long before the collapse. 🎙 #EstaNocheMariasela | Caso Jet Set'Gregory advirtió… y no fue escuchado.'Así lo afirma el abogado Plinio Pina, representante de Gregory Adames, quien asegura que su cliente advirtió en múltiples ocasiones a Antonio Espaillat sobre el peligro que representaba el techo. During the same interview, Antonio stated he would cooperate fully and remain in the country to face any consequences. He expressed deep remorse, saying he felt 'completely destroyed' and that there were no words to convey the pain caused by the incident. Allegations of witness intimidation Authorities have also accused the Espaillats—described as influential figures in the Dominican Republic's entertainment and media industry—of attempting to manipulate or intimidate potential witnesses. The pair reportedly own several elite venues and dozens of radio stations across the country. President Luis Abinader addressed the nation on social media shortly after the tragedy, expressing heartfelt condolences and assuring citizens that rescue and relief efforts were being carried out with urgency. As the case unfolds, the country watches closely, demanding justice for the 236 lives lost in what is now considered one of the deadliest entertainment venue disasters in the region.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
Nightclub owner arrested following deadly roof collapse which killed 236 people
The owner of a nightclub whose roof collapsed and killed 236 people has been arrested along with his sister. Santo Domingo 's iconic Jet Set nightclub was packed with government officials, musicians, and retired Major League Baseball players when its roof collapsed on 8 April. Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office shared on Thursday that Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have been arresed, but have not been charged in the case. Authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. The Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement: 'Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries'. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case. An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment. The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired UN official, New York -based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- CTV News
Owner of Dominican club whose roof collapsed and killed 236 is arrested along with his sister
Rescue workers search for bodies at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The owner of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic whose roof collapsed in April and killed 236 people was arrested Thursday along with his sister. Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. 'Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries,' the Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case. An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment. They Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired UN official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. Martín Adames Alcántara, The Associated Press
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
Owner of Dominican club whose roof collapsed and killed 236 is arrested along with his sister
The owner of an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic whose roof collapsed in April and killed 236 people was arrested Thursday along with his sister. Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge. 'Both defendants displayed immense irresponsibility and negligence by failing to physically intervene to prevent the club's roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, causing 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries,' the Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case. An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment. They Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours. A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.
Boston Globe
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Owner of Dominican Republic nightclub whose roof collapsed is arrested along with his sister
An investigation into why the roof collapsed is ongoing. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. The victims included beloved singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Advertisement
