SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The proprietor of a renowned nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where a tragic roof collapse occurred in April resulting in the deaths of 236 individuals, was taken into custody on Thursday along with his sister.
Antonio Espaillat y Maribel Espaillat have not been charged in the case, although authorities have 48 hours to present any charges before a judge.
“Both suspects showed extreme irresponsibility and neglect by not taking action to stop the roof from collapsing, which led to the loss of 236 lives and caused injuries to over 180 people,” stated the Attorney General’s Office of the Dominican Republic in an official announcement.
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.
They 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.
Among the deceased were the esteemed singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing during the incident, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sibling to seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.
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.
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