The owner of the popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic that collapsed and killed 221 party goers is speaking out on the “devastating” tragedy, vowing to “stand by” loved ones of the victims and “live up to [their] pain.”
Since restauranteur and broadcasting mogul Antonio Espaillat opened Jet Set nightclub in 1973, it’s hosted the best in Latin music – from merengue legends to up-and-coming bachata stars.
The popular club in Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic, was – according to reports – at one time the “most popular venue of its kind in the Dominican Republic.”
The disco was renovated in 2010, and again in 2015.
Then, in 2013, the nightspot was hit with some bad luck when it was struck by lightning and “a fire devastated the entertainment center, damaging its facilities,” a local publication reports.
But the lightning strike was minor.
Rubby Pérez
On April 8, hundreds of people packed the venue for Jet Set Mondays with the acclaimed meringue singer Rubby Pérez performing some of his catchy tunes.
The 69-year-old, who was born in the DR, was the star of the evening, attracting fans from as far as North Carolina, according to reports.
But then, about 1 a.m., “something fell from the ceiling,” a party goer said in a clip recorded from that evening, shared with BBC.
Less than 30 seconds later, screams are heard, and people are seen scattering.
Then, as Pérez sings the final notes of his lifetime, the video goes black.
The country mourns
The once bustling nightclub became a graveyard for several of the hundreds of people who were trapped beneath the heavy rubble after the roof collapsed.
Over the next few days, crews worked tirelessly searching for survivors while heartbroken family and friends showed up, hoping their loved ones would be saved.
“The country mourns. The Dominican family mourns,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, the director of the emergency operations center, who started weeping after he announced on April 10 that rescue efforts were over.
‘Filled with helplessness’
“Today we concluded the most difficult task that I have had in 20 years heading the operations center,” the teary-eyed official said. “I ask forgiveness, because every time a person reported a missing family member, we were filled with helplessness knowing that the person was still trapped, and we hadn’t been able to reach them.”
Later speaking on the phone with the New York Times, Méndez confirmed that “not a single body remains there. We combed the entire area.”
Reports confirmed that 221 people were killed in what’s become one of the country’s deadliest tragedies in decades.
But despite the many lives that were lost, 189 lives were saved, writes the NY Times.
Famous victims
Among those killed include Pérez, and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, the latter who heroically died saving his close friend, former MLB player Esteban Germán.
“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,” AP reports.
‘Share your anguish’
Reaching out to the people devastated by the horrific incident at his nightclub, Espaillat shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing his genuine “anguish.”
“There are no words to express the pain this event has caused. What happened has been devastating for everyone. We want you to know that we are with you and that we share your anguish,” he said in the clip, translated from Spanish.
He continued, “From the very beginning, we have been collaborating fully and transparently with the authorities. We remain in constant communication with the Emergency Operations Center (COE), while search and rescue efforts continue with emergency teams, volunteers, and staff from more than 22 institutions.”
“To you, mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and loved ones of those affected: you can count on us,” he said, vowing that the team will “stand by you.”
The president of RCC Media, the second largest broadcaster in the DR, then promised, “Everything we do now, every decision, every step, has one purpose: to live up to your pain and be with you.”‘
“Today, more than ever, we are a family. Thank you,” he added.
Please share your wishes to the loved ones of the victims in the comments section below and then share this story so we can all send a lot of love to those who are grieving and healing from the tragic incident.
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