On Wednesday night in New York City, dozens of people gathered with candles and photographs to mark one year since the Jet Set nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo, the catastrophe that killed more than 230 people. The small crowd prayed and shared quiet stories, a reminder of how the tragedy’s shockwaves still run from the island to Dominican neighborhoods across the Tri-State area.
Candlelight Vigil Draws Dominican New Yorkers
Family members and neighbors met in Manhattan for a candlelight vigil and moments of prayer, arranging photos and flowers for those they lost. As reported by CBS News New York, several victims were from the Tri-State area. Luz Contreras said, "These next few days, I'm just, I'm going to be sick to my stomach because it's like if I'm reliving it all over again," and Dina Marcelo told CBS, "I don't believe my daughter is not here."
Families Demand Answers and Accountability
Relatives at the vigil and in Santo Domingo have continued to push for stronger charges and more transparency in the investigation. A public prosecutor's report described "a systematic and grave negligence" at the club, and messages obtained by El País show employees warning owners about leaks and failing panels in the days just before the concert. Many relatives say offers to settle civil claims have felt inadequate while the criminal case inches forward.
Owners Arrested, Facing Manslaughter Charges
Prosecutors arrested siblings Antonio and Maribel Espaillat last June and accused them of involuntary manslaughter and related charges, saying investigators have "hundreds of pieces of evidence" tying them to the collapse, according to AP News. Under the statute that prosecutors used, the maximum penalty is roughly two years in prison, a limit that has deepened the rift between families calling for accountability and the relatively modest consequences the charges could bring.
What Happened, and What Comes Next
The roof at the Jet Set club gave way on April 8, 2025, during a merengue concert, trapping hundreds of people and ultimately killing 236 and injuring many more, as reported by El País. Families and advocacy groups in New York say the vigil is a signal that grief, recovery and legal battles are far from over, and that many survivors still need medical and psychological care.
Local community leaders have organized memorials across the city since last April; for earlier coverage see New York's Dominican community mourns. Attendees said Wednesday's gathering was meant not only to honor the dead, but to keep steady pressure on prosecutors and the courts as hearings continue.
