Two weeks after the roof of a popular nightclub collapsed and killed more than 200 people in the Dominican Republic, the venue’s owner acknowledged that the ceiling was made of plaster tiles that frequently fell and said the venue never received a structural review from Dominican authorities. Businessman Antonio Espaillat, who co-owns the establishment with his mother, said in an interview with CNN affiliate Telesistema that aired on Wednesday that the tiles were frequently replaced after they were damaged by water leaking from the air conditioning units positioned on the roof. Espaillat said that this happened regularly throughout all the years that he has operated the venue – even on the very day of the collapse. More than 300 people were inside Jet Set nightclub in the capital of Santo Domingo when the roof collapsed around 1 a.m. on the morning of April 8 during a performance of merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra, authorities said. Espaillat’s own sister was among those trapped under the rubble, he said. The disaster left at least 232 dead, including Pérez, and more than 180 injured, according to official figures. Espaillat stated that in the nightclub’s 30 years of operation, the venue was “never” subjected to a structural review by authorities during routine safety and health inspections, nor did he discuss the building’s structural integrity with private engineers. The structure only received checks from firefighters and the departments of Labor and Health, he said. He said that he did not know the exact weight of the air conditioners located on the roof or if they affected the structure of the building. Espaillat asserted that he had never received any formal warnings about the risks posed by having a ceiling in disrepair and that he is “the first one who wants to know what happened.” “Since this happened, I have had no life,” he said, “I am completely devastated.” CNN has reached out to Espaillat about the comments he made during the interview but has not received a response. Espaillat said he was informed about the collapse by his sister Maribel, who called him while trapped under the rubble. “She said: ‘Antonio, something incredible has happened… we heard an explosion, and the entire roof has collapsed,’” Espaillat told Telesistema. Maribel later told local newspaper Diario Libre that her husband, Daniel Vera Pichardo, covered her with his body to protect her from the falling roof. The two survived the incident. Espaillat, who was in Las Vegas for a business conference, said he flew to Santo Domingo the next day. “I had no idea and couldn’t believe it was something of this magnitude,” he said. The roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday morning with at least 300 people inside.The collapse happened during a performance of merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra, authorities said. Pérez’s body was recovered from the scene on Wednesday morning, emergency services said. Two former Major League Baseball players are also among the victims.An official statement from the country’s Emergency Center Operations on Wednesday said that “all reasonable possibilities of finding more survivors” had been exhausted, and the focus of the operation is now on recovering bodies. The relatives of Virgilio Rafael Cruz Aponte, who died in the collapse, have filed a civil suit against the nightclub owners and local authorities, claiming the disaster was the result of structural negligence and failures in state supervision, Félix Portes, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, told CNN. Espaillat has not commented on the case. Two days after the tragedy, the Dominican government pledged to form a technical team to forensically investigate what caused such a disaster. CNN has asked Dominican authorities for an update on the investigation’s progress. Espaillat has said that he has been in contact with the families of employees who are deceased or injured and intends to accompany them in this process. “I am here, and I am going to face everything. I am not going anywhere; I will be here, and everything that is within my reach and everything I can do, I will do,” he emphasized. When questioned about whether this could have been avoided, Espaillat said he felt “powerless.” “If there had been something that caught my attention or that they (my staff and private contractors) had told me: ‘look, we need to check this, that, or the other,’ I would have gladly done it,” he said.
Owner of Dominican nightclub says plaster tiles often fell from ceiling years before deadly roof collapse
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Owner of Jet Set nightclub reveals history of ceiling issues prior to deadly collapse"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
In the aftermath of the tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which resulted in over 200 fatalities, the owner, Antonio Espaillat, has disclosed critical information regarding the venue's structural integrity. In an interview, Espaillat revealed that the nightclub's ceiling was made of plaster tiles that frequently fell due to water damage from air conditioning units situated on the roof. He stated that these tiles were replaced regularly throughout his 30 years of operation, including on the day of the disaster. The nightclub was packed with more than 300 patrons during a performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez when the roof collapsed around 1 a.m. on April 8. The tragedy claimed the lives of at least 232 individuals, including Pérez, while injuring over 180 others. Espaillat expressed deep sorrow over the incident, mentioning that his sister was among those trapped under the rubble, and he was devastated by the loss and chaos that ensued.
Espaillat admitted that the nightclub had never undergone a structural review by Dominican authorities, despite being subject to inspections by firefighters and health departments. He claimed he was unaware of the potential risks posed by the aging ceiling and the weight of the air conditioning units. Following the disaster, relatives of one victim have filed a civil suit against the nightclub's owners and local authorities, alleging structural negligence. In response to the incident, the Dominican government has promised to establish a technical team to investigate the causes of the collapse thoroughly. Espaillat has expressed his commitment to supporting the families of victims and has vowed to take responsibility for the situation, stating he is willing to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations. He conveyed a sense of helplessness, asserting that he would have taken action had he been made aware of any structural concerns prior to the collapse.
TruthLens AI Analysis
Two weeks after a catastrophic incident at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic that resulted in over 200 fatalities, the venue's owner, Antonio Espaillat, has publicly acknowledged serious safety issues regarding the building. He revealed that the ceiling, made of plaster tiles, frequently fell due to water damage from air conditioning units, and alarmingly, the nightclub had never undergone a structural review by local authorities. This tragic event raises numerous questions about public safety regulations and government oversight in the country.
Public Perception and Accountability
The revelations from Espaillat might aim to shift the narrative surrounding the nightclub's structural failures. By emphasizing that he never received formal warnings about the building's integrity, he appears to be deflecting responsibility. This could create a perception among the public that the tragedy was preventable had the authorities conducted proper inspections. Thus, the article may be fostering a dialogue about accountability for both business owners and regulatory bodies.
Potential Concealment of Broader Issues
While the focus is on the nightclub's owner, this coverage might also obscure larger systemic issues within the Dominican Republic's building inspection and safety enforcement practices. By highlighting individual negligence, there is a risk of diverting attention from the need for comprehensive reform in safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
Manipulative Elements and Trustworthiness
The narrative is laden with emotional appeals, especially with Espaillat expressing devastation and the personal toll of the tragedy. This emotional framing may be seen as manipulative, as it seeks to evoke sympathy while simultaneously minimizing culpability. Such tactics can affect public trust, leading to skepticism about the information presented. The article does provide factual details, but the emotional weight may skew the reader's interpretation of accountability.
Comparative Context
This incident and its coverage can be compared to other similar tragedies worldwide, where lapses in safety regulations have led to significant loss of life. Such comparisons might highlight a pattern of negligence in various countries, potentially galvanizing public demand for stricter enforcement of safety protocols.
Impact on Society and Economy
The aftermath of this incident could have far-reaching implications for the country's nightlife economy, tourism, and public trust in safety regulations. If the public perceives that venues are unsafe, consumer behavior may shift, impacting businesses financially. Additionally, there may be increased demand for stronger regulations, which could lead to economic repercussions for establishment owners who may face stricter compliance costs.
Target Audience
This news story may resonate particularly with communities concerned about public safety and accountability. It could appeal to families of victims and the general public who seek justice and transparency in safety regulations.
Market Implications
From a financial perspective, the nightclub industry in the Dominican Republic may see volatile shifts in stock or investment interests. Investors typically react to perceived risks in safety and regulatory compliance, making this incident a point of concern for stakeholders in the hospitality sector.
Global Context and Power Dynamics
While this incident is localized, it reflects broader themes of governance, public safety, and accountability that resonate globally. In today’s climate, where safety and regulatory compliance are under scrutiny in many sectors, this story aligns with ongoing discussions about how societies prioritize public safety.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no explicit indication that artificial intelligence was involved in crafting this news piece. However, if AI had been employed, it might have influenced the tone or focus, potentially emphasizing emotional responses in the reporting. The article's structure and choice of quotes could suggest an intention to guide public sentiment, which AI tools could assist in achieving.
Overall, the reliability of this news report hinges on its factual basis, yet the emotional framing and focus on individual accountability may raise questions about its overall objectivity.