To view this video please enable JavaScript,and consider upgrading to a web

browser that

supports HTML5

video

Up Next

Previous Page

Next Page

A man who claimed he rescued 12 people from a collapsed nightclub in the Dominican Republic has been arrested over faking the story.

The collapse at Jet Set in the city’s capital Santo Domingo killed 231 people and injured at least 200 last Tuesday.

Rafael Rosario,32,went on a paid media tour to talk about how he rescued survivors,including a well-known news presenter.

But he was arrested on Tuesday after leaving a live broadcast after he was rumbled.

Dominican Republic’s national police force,Policia Nacional Dominicana,published an apology from Rosario on its page on X.

Rosario said: ‘I’m the guy who’s going viral in those videos of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy. I lied in those videos,I was not there. I did not rescue those people.

Rafael Rosario confessed and police posted the footage on social media (Picture: Policia Nacional Dominicana)

‘To say that the rescue workers,the police that were there,were profiting from it,and were choosing who to rescue,that’s not true. It’s a lie.

‘I did it because they paid me,they gave me money to say that I was at that place. I apologise to the community,and I apologise to the authorities. Please forgive me for this. I did it because they gave me money as I’m not working at the moment.

‘I’m simply coming here and asking from the heart that you forgive me for those videos that are going viral on social media.’

Rosario would also appear with a bandage on his left hand from an injury he claimed was from the collapse – but he was never there.

People seen praying for their missing relatives outside Jet Set nightclub (Picture: AP)

The wound was caused by accidental gunshot in February.

He also claimed to have rescued the life of network news presenter Elianta Quinter.

He said: ‘We were removing obstacles,and she appeared among the rubble. Her feet were trapped under a beam. She couldn’t get out. Eventually,she took off her shoes,and we were able to get her out.’

Elianta fought back tears and replied: ‘Rafael was a miracle from God in my life. Thanks to him,I’m alive today.

‘I want to give you a huge hug and my eternal gratitude. You risked your life to save mine. I’ll never forget it.’

This drone view shows shows the aftermath at the Jet Set nightclub after the roof collapsed (Picture: Reuters)

It is not yet clear what caused the roof to collapse at Jet Set.

In a statement,the club said: ‘The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay.

‘In this difficult time,our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own because we are also in mourning.

‘We are collaborating fully and transparently with the relevant authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened.’