Some of those attending the mass requested that April 11 be declared a national day of mourning, to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragedy that plunged the entire country into mourning.
SANTO DOMINGO.- A Eucharist in memory of the victims of the Jet Set Club nightclub roof collapse brought together family members, survivors and friends yesterday, Sunday, March 8, at the site of the collapse, a tragedy that left 236 people dead and more than 180 injured.
The religious ceremony coincided with the eleven-month anniversary of the incident that occurred in the early morning hours when the roof of the Jet Set Club collapsed, considered one of the most devastating non-natural events recorded in the recent history of the Dominican Republic.
Among those present were Melba Segura de Grullón and Arelis Cruz de Estrella, mothers of Alexandra Grullón Segura and Eduardo Guarionex Estrella, who died in the incident, which occurred while the artist Ruby Pérez, who also died at the scene, was performing at the traditional Monday party. The couple were among the dozens of people who were in the establishment at the time of the collapse.
The religious ceremony took place in a somber atmosphere, in a space that since the disaster has become a memorial point for family members and citizens who come to leave flowers, candles and messages in remembrance of those who lost their lives.
Legal proceedings underway
The case remains under investigation within the Dominican judicial system. The Dominican Republic's Public Prosecutor's Office has charged the establishment's owners, Antonio Espaillat and Maribel Espaillat, with involuntary manslaughter and causing unintentional injuries in connection with the structure's collapse.
Prosecutors requested pretrial detention for Antonio Espaillat and house arrest for Maribel Espaillat, also declaring the case complex due to the magnitude of the victims. However, a court in the National District imposed a bail of RD$50 million, a travel ban, and periodic court appearances.
The decision drew criticism from representatives of the Public Prosecutor's Office and lawyers for the victims, who believe the measures are disproportionate to the seriousness of the events. In response, the prosecution announced it would appeal the ruling.
Demands and claims
Alongside the criminal proceedings, survivors and their families have filed numerous complaints and civil lawsuits. Some legal actions are also directed against public institutions for alleged failures in the supervision and control of construction projects.
The case is in the preliminary trial phase, a stage in which the court will evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense to determine whether the case should proceed to trial.
While the legal process continues, the memory of the tragedy remains present among the affected families, who continue to demand clarification of the facts and accountability for one of the most shocking disasters recorded in the country in recent decades.
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