The owner of a Dominican nightclub whose roof collapsed, killing 232, speaks for the first time

[SKY]

The owner of a Dominican nightclub whose roof collapsed, killing 232, speaks for the first time

The owner of a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic whose roof collapsed and killed 232 people this month said it had filtration problems for decades and had been repeatedly fixed with plasterboard.

apnews.com

 

[cavok]

I'm amazed that he publicly admits that the roof had been been leaking for years and that no one had ever inspected it. The roof(ceiling) was just patched over with plasterboard and pieces had repeatedly fallen down for years.

 

[NanSanPedro]

I would have thought that "upon advice of counsel, I'm going to STFU".

 

[Tarheel]

Plasterboard! You have to be kidding me.

 

[cavok]

Your ceiling is leaking so you put plasterboard over it. Brilliant!

 

[keepcoming]

Not sure if this interview was in Spanish and then translated to English? Something tells me there is some information missing or not translated correctly.

 

[josh2203]

Not sure if this interview was in Spanish and then translated to English? Something tells me there is some information missing or not translated correctly.

As per the original article, it was on Telesistema (11) and in Spanish, found the link:

Cannot comment on translation issues as I haven't watched the interview yet, but I would think there is a margin of error...

 

[josh2203]

With plasterboard, I think he's referring in the interview to plates of "plafon" that were installed below the roof.

 

[cavok]

He says in the video that water from the A/C units were filtering through the roof and the plafon de yeso on the ceiling would absorb the water and fall down regularly. Why he didn't think that would affect the integrity of the roof is a mystery. Lucky one of the pieces never fell on someones head.

 

[Tarheel]

With plasterboard, I think he's referring in the interview to plates of "plafon" that were installed below the roof.

So put a band aid on it and continue as before. This would never happen in a first world country.

 

[NALs]

The dark circles are still there when dark circles isn’t genetic for him.
Ah yes, that explains it: 15:30.

Not that I’m surprised by that. It has been very obvious just by looking at him and listening to his voice tone ever since he returned to the DR as soon he learned of what happened. Of course, many of the media and in the social media many are going to great length to make it seem he is living on vacation when reality is the opposite.

Another part not to be ignored is the part he said he will be in SD during the entire investigation. Some make it seem he’s going to rush out of the DR any moment since he is perceived to be rich. Reality is if he was that type of person he would had never returned to the DR the moment he knew of what happened.

This is weighing a lot on his shoulders and conscious, and will continue for a while doesn’t matter how much some try to paint things another way.

The focus on him and the insinuation from many parts of the media is excessive.

 

[jfk66]

I've met Antonio twice through my son, who organizes music events in the Dominican Republic where they've worked together frequently. Based on these brief encounters and my son's feedback, I can confidently say that Antonio is a good person - a devoted family man, a successful and respectful businessman, and someone with great empathy.

It's clear he's deeply affected by this tragedy, and it's troubling to see him and his family being criticized, primarily by people not directly impacted by this terrible accident.

Out of respect for those who died, the injured, and their loved ones - but also for Antonio, his family, and employees - could we please avoid becoming amateur prosecutors, self-proclaimed structural engineers, or "lawyers"? Or must we wait until another tragedy diverts public attention, as happened with the likely drowning of the Indian girl in Punta Cana?

If some of the energy spent discussing this matter were redirected toward helping those in need throughout this beautiful country, as many members already do, it would be a meaningful lesson from such a devastating loss of life...

 

[keepcoming]

People seem to forget that the owner and his family were extremely close to many who died in this tragedy. Many are assuming things when in reality no one is privy to all the information about this tragedy.

 

[aarhus]

People seem to forget that the owner and his family were extremely close to many who died in this tragedy. Many are assuming things when in reality no one is privy to all the information about this tragedy.

Yes I believe he said he would have been there if he wasn't traveling abroad. That must add to the emotions he is feeling.

 

[cavok]

In the video, he said he was usually at JetSet a couple times a month every Monday with his wife, grandmother, and other family members. He was in Las Vegas when this happened and immediately caught a flight and was in the DR the next afternoon.

 

[Manuel01]

He says in the video that water from the A/C units were filtering through the roof and the plafon de yeso on the ceiling would absorb the water and fall down regularly. Why he didn't think that would affect the integrity of the roof is a mystery. Lucky one of the pieces never fell on someones head.

Let's be honest here. Which ceiling of any commercial building does not or did not suffer from filtration !? But anyway, this guys is screwed. I heard that his own sister died in the incident. What additional punishment can they give him ? I think he must be more afraid of some victims relatives than from the law.
Is he is wise, he hides in the US.

 

[Manuel01]

I'm amazed that he publicly admits that the roof had been been leaking for years and that no one had ever inspected it. The roof(ceiling) was just patched over with plasterboard and pieces had repeatedly fallen down for years.

and what' is so special about this behavior !? There must be thousands of Places like this in the DR. G-d loves this country. Otherwise tragedy's like this would actually happen here at least weekly.

 

[cavok]

Let's be honest here. Which ceiling of any commercial building does not or did not suffer from filtration !? But anyway, this guys is screwed. I heard that his own sister died in the incident. What additional punishment can they give him ? I think he must be more afraid of some victims relatives than from the law.
Is he is wise, he hides in the US.

The problem here is, he says in the interview that the filtration had been happening for almost 30 years that he owned the building. He said in the interview that it was his sister that called him from under the rubble about the collapse.

 

[aarhus]

The problem here is, he says in the interview that the filtration had been happening for almost 30 years that he owned the building. He said in the interview that it was his sister that called him from under the rubble about the collapse.

He is one of the victims.

 

[cavok]

and what' is so special about this behavior !? There must be thousands of Places like this in the DR. G-d loves this country. Otherwise tragedy's like this would actually happen here at least weekly.

Any roof will develop occasional leaks which, if corrected, won't be a problem. You simply cannot let a roof leak long term or the integrity of the roof is compromised. Add to the fact that this roof had 6 huge A/C units on it plus three 500 gallon water tanks. There very well could be other buildings in danger of collapse. I think a lot of building owners will be looking at their roofs as a result of this.