Dominican nightclub owners to stand trial for 236 deaths in roof collapse

On 8 April 2025 a roof collapsed at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, killing 236 people and injuring more than 100. The disaster occurred during a concert by singer Rubby Pérez and involved high‑profile victims such as former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, owners of the club and prominent business figures, have been ordered by Magistrate Reymundo Mejía Zorrilla of the First Court of Instruction of the National District to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege they ignored warnings about structural decay, failed to take safety measures, and attempted to intimidate employees. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison, though victims’ families are demanding homicide charges that could carry sentences of up to 20 years. No trial date has been set.