The owner of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, spoke out in his first interview since a roof collapse killed 232 people earlier this month. Antonio Espaillat admitted that the roof had filtration problems for decades and had been repeatedly fixed with plasterboard. Employees had added new plasterboard hours before the collapse, and water filtrations from the air conditioning units were never inspected.
Espaillat expressed deep remorse for the tragedy, especially as his sister was among those trapped under the debris. The club’s history dates back 52 years, with six air-conditioning units and three water tanks on the roof. Waterproofing was done every six to eight years, with the most recent done a month before the collapse.
The government has formed a committee to investigate the incident, which left 189 survivors and dozens hospitalized. The victims included doctors, former MLB players, and a provincial governor. Espaillat, who was in Las Vegas at the time of the collapse, is facing three lawsuits.
The nightclub, known for its merengue parties, had no warning of the collapse according to Espaillat, who has pledged to face the consequences. The community continues to mourn the loss of life in this tragic event, with authorities working to determine the cause of the roof collapse.
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