On April 8, 2025, the Dominican Republic witnessed one of the deadliest tragedies in its recent history when the roof of the iconic Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a live performance by famed merengue singer Rubby Pérez. The disaster claimed the lives of 232 people and left over 150 injured, marking a dark day in the nation’s memory.
A Night of Celebration Turned into Mourning
That night, approximately 515 people were inside the venue enjoying the concert. Among the victims were high-profile individuals such as Rubby Pérez himself, Montecristi Governor Nelsy Cruz, and former baseball player Octavio Dotel. In response, President Luis Abinader declared six days of national mourning and ordered the formation of a commission of national and international experts to investigate the collapse (AP News, Wikipedia).
Negligence and Lack of Maintenance
In later interviews, nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat admitted the building’s roof had shown leakage issues for decades, and that repairs consisted of placing drywall panels without proper structural inspections. Espaillat, who was in Las Vegas at the time of the incident, expressed deep sorrow and said he was ready to face any legal and social consequences (AP News).
Legal Actions and Consequences
So far, the District Attorney’s Office has received at least 38 formal complaints from victims’ families, filed against Antonio Espaillat and others, accusing them of involuntary manslaughter. Authorities have frozen Espaillat’s assets to ensure reparations and support for legal proceedings (El Día, Listín Diario).
A Nation in Mourning and Demanding Justice
This tragedy has left the Dominican society shaken, demanding justice and urgent reforms to prevent such negligence from happening again. The incident has exposed deep flaws in building inspections and maintenance standards for public venues.
As investigations move forward and families seek closure, the Jet Set nightclub has become a symbol of both national grief and the pressing need for structural reform.
This article honors the victims and serves as a call to action for change in the name of public safety.