Jet Set nightclub collapse trial: Witness testifies to structural warnings

Jet Set nightclub collapse Antonio Espaillat Gregory Adames testimony Dominican Republic judicial trial structural failure

During the fifth hearing of the trial regarding the Jet Set nightclub collapse, former employee Gregory Adames provided emotional testimony concerning the structural issues present before the tragedy. Adames testified that constant water leaks led staff to place tarps over ceiling panels to collect water, a measure he claims was authorized by Antonio Espaillat. He noted that these leaks occurred even when air conditioning units were turned off, particularly during rainfall.

Adames further stated that he had warned management about falling debris and ceiling issues hours before the collapse on April 8, 2025. He described a specific instance where a ceiling panel that had been recently replaced broke and fell shortly before the total structural failure.

The tragedy, which resulted in 236 deaths and over 180 injuries, is being investigated by the Public Ministry. Experts have testified that the collapse was linked to an accumulated overload on the roof structure, including weight from air conditioning units and water deposits. The trial has been adjourned and is scheduled to resume on October 2.

Entities

Antonio Espaillat · Dominican Republic · Fourth Criminal Chamber of the National District · Gregory Adames · Jet Set · Jet Set Club · Maribel Espaillat · Santo Domingo

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Antonio Espaillat authorized the use of tarps to manage water accumulation. francomacorisanos.com · teleradioamerica.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Water leaks occurred during rain even when air conditioning units were turned off. francomacorisanos.com · teleradioamerica.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Gregory Adames testified that constant water leaks led staff to place tarps over ceiling panels to collect water. azuanoticias.com · francomacorisanos.com · teleradioamerica.com · ahoranoticiasrd.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Antonio Espaillat allegedly showed no empathy and laughed during a video call following the tragedy.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The defense failed to discredit the testimony of Gregory Adames. n.com.do
[DISPUTED] The trial regarding the Jet Set nightclub collapse has been adjourned until October 2. n.com.do
[● 2 SOURCES] The collapse left 236 people dead and more than 180 injured. ahoranoticiasrd.com · montecristinoticias.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The collapse was related to an accumulated overload in the roof structure. ahoranoticiasrd.com
[DISPUTED] The trial has been adjourned until October 2. montecristinoticias.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The same ceiling panel that had constant failures was changed on the day of the tragedy. eldia.com.do