Owners of Jet Set nightclub to face trial over collapse deaths
Antonio and Maribel Espaillat will be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter following the collapse of the roof of the nightclub in Santo Domingo, where 236 people died in April 2025.
Owners of Jet Set nightclub to face trial over collapse deaths
A Dominican Republic court has ruled that the proprietors of the Jet Set nightclub, Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, will face criminal proceedings for involuntary manslaughter. The judicial decision was made on Monday and was reported by ABC.
The outcome is linked to the structural collapse that occurred on the night of 8 April 2025, when the roof of the building—located on Independencia Avenue, El Portal sector—gave way during a musical performance. The toll was 236 people dead and approximately 180 injured.
The prosecution had requested that the criminal charge be involuntary manslaughter, whilst the plaintiff parties argued that voluntary manslaughter should be applied. The judge opted for the first option.
The building was 50 years old and area residents had previously alerted authorities to leaks and structural problems. The accused were detained in June 2025 but were released after posting bail. They are currently subject to restrictive measures: payment of bonds, prohibition from leaving the country and regular appearance before authorities.
Relatives of those who lost their lives have staged repeated protests demanding justice.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo