Overview

• The roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub on April 8 claimed at least 231 lives, making it the Dominican Republic's deadliest peacetime tragedy in decades.
• Owner Antonio Espaillat revealed the roof had persistent leaks since the 1980s and was never subjected to structural inspections by authorities or private engineers.
• Espaillat stated the roof supported six air conditioning units and three water tanks, with frequent waterproofing issues that were handled internally but never flagged as structural risks.
• Victims' families have filed criminal complaints against Espaillat for manslaughter and are suing the state and city for failing to enforce safety standards at the venue.
• The Dominican government is drafting legislation to mandate safety inspections of private buildings, addressing the regulatory gaps exposed by the tragedy.