Carwin was celebrating a long-awaited reunion with his mother, Carmin, when the night took a catastrophic turn. Initially dismissing a small stone that fell from the ceiling, their excitement quickly morphed into horror as the structure gave way. "What I have in my head are the screams, the loud sound of the ceiling falling in, my mom's screams asking me if I'm OK, me asking her if she's OK," he recalls.
Both Carwin and his mother were struck on their heads but managed to escape the majority of the falling debris. However, Carwin’s two friends were still inside, prompting him to risk his safety by re-entering the club in search of them. His efforts proved futile as chaos reigned, with people desperately trying to rescue those trapped under the debris. Survivor accounts describe a scene of "total chaos," as Carwin could only shout for his lost friend Jessica in vain.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, but Carwin noted the absence of machinery to clear the vast amounts of rubble. "It felt awful not being able to do anything," he said, reflecting on the loss of his friend, who was later discovered deceased alongside her sister. The collapse, which has since raised significant concerns regarding safety standards in such venues, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness.
As bodies are recovered, the community grapples with the aftermath. Grief and loss permeate the air, sparking discussions about safety measures and accountability in public space management. This tragic event not only claims lives but also raises critical questions surrounding infrastructure safety and emergency response protocols in the Dominican Republic.
The repercussions of this disaster will reverberate widely, prompting necessary reflections and conversations about planning for the safety of vulnerable spaces where people gather.
Both Carwin and his mother were struck on their heads but managed to escape the majority of the falling debris. However, Carwin’s two friends were still inside, prompting him to risk his safety by re-entering the club in search of them. His efforts proved futile as chaos reigned, with people desperately trying to rescue those trapped under the debris. Survivor accounts describe a scene of "total chaos," as Carwin could only shout for his lost friend Jessica in vain.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, but Carwin noted the absence of machinery to clear the vast amounts of rubble. "It felt awful not being able to do anything," he said, reflecting on the loss of his friend, who was later discovered deceased alongside her sister. The collapse, which has since raised significant concerns regarding safety standards in such venues, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness.
As bodies are recovered, the community grapples with the aftermath. Grief and loss permeate the air, sparking discussions about safety measures and accountability in public space management. This tragic event not only claims lives but also raises critical questions surrounding infrastructure safety and emergency response protocols in the Dominican Republic.
The repercussions of this disaster will reverberate widely, prompting necessary reflections and conversations about planning for the safety of vulnerable spaces where people gather.
