India, April 10 -- As grief continues to sweep through the Dominican Republic, the owner of the ill-fated Jet Set nightclub has broken his silence following the devastating roof collapse that claimed 184 lives. Antonio Espaillat spoke out for the first time as the nation reels from one of its deadliest nightclub disasters. The owner revealed that he was out of the country when the tragedy unfolded late Tuesday during a live performance by beloved merengue icon Rubby Perez.

Espaillat released a video on Instagram, addressing the tragic accident that took place at his nightclub. He shared that he was back in Santo Domingo to "cooperate with the authorities in rescue and investigation." In the Instagram video posted on Wednesday, he said, a...