• Owners of the Jet Set nightclub arrested after a collapse that killed 236 people.
• Charges of manslaughter and negligence have been filed against Antonio and Maribel Espaillat.
• The tragedy has led to calls for the establishment of mandatory safety inspections in the Dominican Republic.

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic arrested Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, due to their alleged roles in the tragic roof collapse that claimed 236 lives in April. The incident occurred during a concert by the prominent merengue star Rubby Pérez, among the victims, highlighting the severity of the tragedy in the nation's history. Prosecutors pointed to the owners' "immense irresponsibility and negligence" for failing to maintain the structure, which reportedly had not undergone safety inspections for years, according to Le Monde, CBS News, and NPR.

The Attorney General's Office indicated that both defendants might face charges of intentional negligence, as their inaction contributed to the disaster. Following their arrests, it was noted that the Espaillats had reportedly attempted to influence potential witnesses among their staff. Attorney Miguel Valerio, representing the owners, asserted that this "is an involuntary homicide," emphasizing their lack of intent, as reported by Le Monde and CBS News.

The circumstances around the collapse are further complicated by allegations from former employees suggesting that safety warnings were ignored prior to the fatal event. An ex-employee claimed to have warned the owners about the potential danger just before the concert. Meanwhile, the club's tragic history has attracted lawsuits from the victims' families, highlighting ongoing investigations into the systemic failures that allowed such a tragedy to occur, according to CBS News and NPR.