Carwin Javie Molleja recounts a night meant for celebration that turned into a scene of sheer horror as he and his mother narrowly escaped the deadly disaster.
**Nightclub Tragedy: Survivor Shares Harrowing Experience Amid Chaos of Collapse**
**Nightclub Tragedy: Survivor Shares Harrowing Experience Amid Chaos of Collapse**
A first-hand account from a survivor reveals the emotional turmoil and devastation following a nightclub ceiling collapse in the Dominican Republic that claimed over 200 lives.
Upon entering Santo Domingo’s Jet Set nightclub on Tuesday morning, Carwin Javie Molleja was ready to enjoy the long-awaited reunion with his mother, Carmin, after three years apart. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the sounds of a concert by merengue singer Rubby Pérez. However, at around 01:00 AM, as they danced joyfully, everything took a grave turn when debris fell from the ceiling.
"I saw something drop, but I didn’t think much of it," shared Carwin, a 32-year-old percussionist who has lived in the Dominican Republic for eight years. Despite the initial shock of the falling stone, he never anticipated that it would lead to a catastrophic ceiling collapse.
Carwin remembers the haunting sounds of the night, filled with screams and the terrifying crash of the roof collapsing as he instinctively hugged his mother. Although both suffered minor injuries from falling debris, they managed to escape from the immediate danger. Tragically, the scene around them was described as "total chaos," with at least 221 lives lost, including the beloved musician Rubby Pérez.
As conditions deteriorated, Carwin made the decision to return inside, desperately searching for his friend Jessica and her sister, who remained trapped under the rubble. “I felt powerless,” he lamented. His frantic calls for help went unanswered, leaving him devastated as attempts to get through to Jessica failed.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, yet chaos reigned. Witnesses reported seeing rescue efforts hampered as bystanders struggled to assist those trapped. "People were going crazy," Carwin recounted. “I saw the saxophonist being pulled out, and it was horrific.”
After enduring the devastation for over an hour, Carwin was forced to prioritize his mother’s safety and take her home, overwhelmed with pain and confusion about Jessica’s fate. Hours later, their worst fears were confirmed when reports surfaced that Jessica and her sister were found deceased under the rubble.
Carwin expressed deep remorse for his inability to save his friend, conveying, “It feels awful not being able to do anything. I yelled her name, but she didn’t answer.” The tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which joy can turn into despair.
"I saw something drop, but I didn’t think much of it," shared Carwin, a 32-year-old percussionist who has lived in the Dominican Republic for eight years. Despite the initial shock of the falling stone, he never anticipated that it would lead to a catastrophic ceiling collapse.
Carwin remembers the haunting sounds of the night, filled with screams and the terrifying crash of the roof collapsing as he instinctively hugged his mother. Although both suffered minor injuries from falling debris, they managed to escape from the immediate danger. Tragically, the scene around them was described as "total chaos," with at least 221 lives lost, including the beloved musician Rubby Pérez.
As conditions deteriorated, Carwin made the decision to return inside, desperately searching for his friend Jessica and her sister, who remained trapped under the rubble. “I felt powerless,” he lamented. His frantic calls for help went unanswered, leaving him devastated as attempts to get through to Jessica failed.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, yet chaos reigned. Witnesses reported seeing rescue efforts hampered as bystanders struggled to assist those trapped. "People were going crazy," Carwin recounted. “I saw the saxophonist being pulled out, and it was horrific.”
After enduring the devastation for over an hour, Carwin was forced to prioritize his mother’s safety and take her home, overwhelmed with pain and confusion about Jessica’s fate. Hours later, their worst fears were confirmed when reports surfaced that Jessica and her sister were found deceased under the rubble.
Carwin expressed deep remorse for his inability to save his friend, conveying, “It feels awful not being able to do anything. I yelled her name, but she didn’t answer.” The tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the suddenness with which joy can turn into despair.
