Tragedy in the Dominican Republic: The roof of a nightclub, over 200 people, collapsed

The roof of the legendary nightclub Jet Set in the Dominican Republic, which crashed on April 8 during the performance of the famous singer Merengue Rubby Pérez, has had had problems with flow for decades, and the repairs were reduced to placing new plasterboard, the club owner Antonio Espaillat revealed in the first public appearance.

In an interview with Telessistem’s local television, Espaillat described years of neglect and improvised repairs that preceded the tragedy of 232 people, while dozens were hospitalized and more than 180 rescued from ruins.

« We have always been buying plasterboard. Always, » Espaillat said in a quiet tone, adding that no one had ever seriously examined the roof, despite numerous warning signs. Pouring, he said, mostly came from air -conditioning units, and the plates often dropped off the roof.

Just a few hours before the disaster, the staff re -set up new plasterboard. The club, located in the former cinema in Santo Doming, has been the epicenter of Monday Mrengue fun for years.

Espaillat said she found out about the accident when his sister called him under the ruins, while she was still trapped with other visitors. Among the dead are prominent members of the Community, including the governor of the Montecrist Province, former MLB players and former UN officials.

« I want to say – I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I’m completely broken, » Espaillat said. The club, he says, was part of his family – he was founded by his mother when he was six years old.

There were six air conditioning units on the roof of the facility and three water containers. The last attempt at waterproofing was done just a month before the collapse, but that was not enough to save the construction.

According to experts, many years of exposure leads to a serious damage to the structure of the building. « The water that penetrates the construction materials increases their weight and weak structural integrity, » said engineer Yamil Castillo of Puerto Rica, adding that replacement of plasterboard was not an appropriate measure.

There were more than 500 people at the time of collapse at the club. The rescue lasted 53 hours, and the authorities confirmed that an extensive investigation had been launched. The Dominican government has set up a special committee with local and international experts who should determine the causes of the tragedy.

The investigation could last for months, and the accident raised wider questions about the safety of buildings in the country. Currently, there is no regulatory body in charge of the inspection of private facilities, but President Luis Ambinader announced the passage of the law to change this.

Espaillat admitted that he did not immediately go to the scene on his return from the United States, as officials warned him of the potential danger-a multitude of outraged citizens gathered in front of the ruins. « I’ll face everything. I’m not going anywhere, » he said.

Three lawsuits have already been filed and the number could grow. The jet set tragedy will be remembered as one of the greatest disasters in the history of the Dominican Republic – a painful lesson on the price of negligence, improvisation and ignoring warning.