Owner of Dominican club whose roof collapsed and killed 236 is arrested along with his sister
Share this @internewscast.com

An iconic nightclub owner in the Dominican Republic, where a tragic roof collapse occurred in April resulting in 236 fatalities, was arrested Thursday alongside his sister.

Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge.

The Attorney General’s Office of the Dominican Republic stated, “The two defendants were gravely irresponsible and negligent, failing to take necessary actions to prevent the roof’s collapse at the club, which led to the loss of 236 lives and over 180 injuries.”

Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees, adding that they could serve as witnesses in the case.

An attorney for the Espaillats could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Espaillats were arrested after being interrogated for several hours.

A government-appointed committee that includes international experts is still investigating what caused the roof to collapse.

Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors.

The disaster claimed the life of cherished singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time, as well as Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister to Nelson Cruz, a notable seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star.

Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died at a hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera.

Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife.

The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Elevates Two to Colonel Positions

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. () — The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) promoted…

Cruz on ICE Office Shooting: ‘This Must End’

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Send Your Christmas Letters: Operation Santa is Now Open

KANSAS (KSNT) – The United States Postal Service (USPS) has restarted Operation…

Discover the Competitors in Alaska’s Fat Bear Week

Internet Explorer 11 is not compatible with our site. For the best…

“Streetlights Still Dark a Year After Hurricanes: Pinellas County Locals Concerned About Safety”

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Numerous lights remain unlit across the barrier…

Kash Patel Shares Image of Anti-ICE Shell Found at Dallas Shooting Scene

DALLAS (WFLA) — The FBI director, Kash Patel, has released an image…

Inmate Fatally Shot at Dallas ICE Facility

IE 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit our…

Survey: 57% Lack Confidence in Medical Information Cited by RFK Jr.

(The Hill) – A recent poll reveals that more than half of…

London’s Mayor Rebuts Trump’s ‘Sharia Law’ Remarks

IE 11 is not supported. To have the best experience, please use…

Pentagon Introduces Exceptions to Mandatory Flu Vaccination for All Troops

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has revised its policy mandating annual flu vaccinations…

Study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Shows Autism Diagnoses in Tennessee Have Doubled Over the Past Decade

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Research conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has…

Jessica Chastain Expresses Disagreement with Apple’s Delay of Series on Hate Groups

Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain expressed on Wednesday that she disagrees with Apple’s…