The National Observatory for Consumer Protection (Onpeco) has voiced its serious concern that the lack of crucial information on the death certificates issued to the families of the victims who perished in the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub on 8 April 2025, El Caribe reports.
In a press release, Onpeco highlights that the documents released by the Institute of Forensic Pathology (Inacif) and the Central Electoral Board (JCE) merely state that the deceased “died on Independencia Avenue” or in the capital city, conspicuously omitting any mention of the nightclub’s collapse. The consumer protection agency says that the unprecedented omission obscures the actual cause of death and could significantly impede potential insurance claims and other legal rights of the victims’ families.
The consumer protection agency argues that the failure to explicitly state the collapse as the cause of death carries the risk of exonerating the owners and administrators of Jet Set, as well as the entities responsible for regulating and supervising such establishments. Onpeco contends that these parties allegedly ignored clear warning signs regarding the structural integrity of the building prior to the tragic event. Furthermore, the lack of detail hinders the ability of families to pursue claims related to the safety of individuals using the facilities and services.
Drawing a stark contrast with the aftermath of the Vidal Plast explosion in San Cristóbal on August 14, 2023, where death certificates accurately detailed the causes and led to sanctions against those responsible, Onpeco is demanding the same level of rigor to ensure justice for the Jet Set victims.
Onpeco also pointed out that several preventable collapses have occurred in recent years – including incidents in San Cristóbal, La Vega, and La Romana – underscoring the urgent need to strengthen oversight and improve the quality of construction materials and procedures.
In light of these concerns, Onpeco is formally requesting that the Institute of Forensic Pathology and the Central Electoral Board immediately revise all death certificates to explicitly state that the deaths were a direct consequence of the tragedy at the Jet Set nightclub. This revision, the agency asserts, is essential to fully protect the rights of the victims and their families.
While expressing condolences for the tragedy, Onpeco lamented the apparent complicity in the non-compliance with laws and regulations, not only in public and private construction but also in other areas where actions impact public safety. The agency emphasized that adherence to the law is a universal responsibility, particularly concerning public order and regulations designed to safeguard human lives.
The relatives of the deceased victims of the Jet Set nightclub collapse have revealed death certificates for their loved ones that fail to specify the place of death, raising fears about potential complications in the legal proceedings following the tragedy.
News outlet Noticias SIN obtained two such documents where item 16, which is designated for the place of death, was left blank. Item 17, requesting the address of death, states that it occurred at kilometer 6 of Independencia Avenue in the El Portal sector, without mentioning the Jet Set nightclub. The Jet Set is located at kilometer 6 of Independencia Avenue, in the El Portal plaza.
Families worry that the absence of the nightclub’s name on the death certificates could create legal loopholes that defense attorneys might exploit to avoid accountability for the incident.
The catastrophic collapse at Jet Set resulted in the deaths of 231 people, many due to head trauma from falling debris. The incident is expected to trigger complex legal battles, both criminal and civil, leaving families anxious about every detail.
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Noticias SIN
21 April 2025