In brief
In a devastating turn of events, a celebratory night transformed into a nightmare for many after the Jet Set nightclub's ceiling in Santo Domingo collapsed, leading to an extensive loss of life.
Carwin Javie Molleja, who experienced the horror first-hand, shared his recollections of the chaotic scene. At 01:00 on Tuesday morning, he was enjoying a long-awaited reunion with his mother, Carmin, at the popular venue where they had come to see merengue star Rubby Pérez perform. The atmosphere was filled with joy until Carwin noticed something fall from above. "It all happened so fast," Carwin reflected, describing how the joyous occasion turned into terror as the ceiling suddenly gave way, resulting in an estimated 221 fatalities. Both he and his mother narrowly avoided serious injury when struck by falling debris but were caught in the chaos that ensued. As panic swept through the crowd, Carwin's first instinct was to protect his mother. “Everything happened so fast. I guess I closed my eyes and my instinct was to hug my mum,” he recounted. In the confusion, the two managed to escape but his friends, Jessica and her sister, were still trapped inside the club. Driven by fear and desperation, Carwin re-entered the nightclub, calling out for Jessica but received no response amid the overwhelming danger and destruction. “The stones were huge. I felt useless,” he lamented, describing the emotional toll of being unable to rescue his friends. The aftermath was filled with panic as those outside the club attempted to help the injured. Carwin remained at the site for an hour and a half, witnessing the arrival of emergency services and trying to assist as best as he could despite the overwhelming situation. After ultimately having to leave to prioritize his mother's welfare, Carwin's heartache worsened when it was confirmed that Jessica and her sister had perished in the collapse. “It was horrible not being able to help her,” he expressed, grappling with feelings of helplessness.The collapse of the Jet Set nightclub marks a tragic chapter in the Dominican Republic’s history—a stark reminder of the fragility of life in moments of celebration. The community mourns the devastating loss while coming together to remember the victims of this catastrophic event.
