A tragic incident unfolded in the Dominican Republic as a New York City-based art dealer, Elivira Malkic, and her husband, Hakim Boubazine, lost their lives in a roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub. The horrifying incident occurred during a performance by popular merengue singer Rubby Perez, leading to a 53-hour search and rescue operation in Santo Domingo.
Elivira Malkic, a mother of three, co-owned the Elity Art gallery located on 5th Avenue within the upscale L’Appartement hair salon. Her husband, Hakim Boubazine, had previously served as the COO of Altice USA. The news of their tragic demise shocked their colleagues and loved ones, with gallery worker Iris Hernandez expressing disbelief upon learning about the incident. The gallery’s co-owner, Tiffany Kaljić, immediately flew to the Dominican Republic upon receiving the devastating news.
Malkic, known for her exceptional business acumen and passion for art, was described by Hernandez as an “amazing woman” with a strong work ethic and a positive energy that inspired those around her. She had a keen eye for working with artists and their creations, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she encountered. Prior to her art dealings, Malkic had also worked as an independent cosmetics consultant in Santo Domingo from 2015 to 2018.
One of Malkic’s clients, known on Instagram as Ordered Chaos, shared a heartfelt tribute expressing shock and devastation over her untimely passing. The artist credited Malkic for believing in their work and providing them with opportunities, describing her as an angel and the kindest person they had ever met.
The telecommunications giant Altice also confirmed the couple’s death, extending their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. As the search and rescue efforts continued, a total of 221 victims were recovered from the wreckage, with 189 individuals successfully rescued from the collapsed roof. An investigation into the cause of the roof collapse is underway, with the nightclub owner, Antonio Espaillat, returning to Santo Domingo to cooperate with authorities in determining the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The loss of Elivira Malkic and Hakim Boubazine has sent shockwaves through the art community and beyond, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by all who knew and admired them. Their legacy of passion for art, dedication to their work, and kindness towards others will be remembered and cherished by those whose lives they touched.
