Carwin Javie Molleja details the chaos and pain of the recent Jet Set nightclub ceiling collapse, which occurred while he was celebrating with his mother after three years apart. Despite narrowly escaping serious injury, Carwin reflects on his desperate attempts to find friends who were trapped, underscoring the emotional toll of the tragic event.
Nightclub Tragedy: Survivor Shares Heart-Wrenching Experience of Collapse
Nightclub Tragedy: Survivor Shares Heart-Wrenching Experience of Collapse
A survivor recounts the terrifying moments of a ceiling collapse that claimed over 220 lives during a celebratory night at a Dominican Republic nightclub.
On Tuesday morning at approximately 01:00, a celebratory night took a deadly turn at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Carwin Javie Molleja, 32, was enjoying his first reunion with his mother, Carmin, after three years apart, when the unthinkable happened. During a vibrant concert featuring merengue singer Rubby Pérez, the ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, leading to widespread devastation.
Carwin recalls, "I noticed something fall from the ceiling, but no one thought the entire roof would collapse." In an instant, the joyous night morphed into chaos marked by screams and panic. He described the disorienting experience, where he instinctively hugged his mother, while both were struck on the head by falling debris but fortunately avoided severe injuries.
While some club-goers sought immediate escape, Carwin realized that his friend Jessica and her sister were still inside. In a desperate act of bravery, he returned into the crumbling structure, calling out for his friends. "I felt powerless to help those who had become trapped under the debris," he lamented, expressing profound regret for not being able to assist her.
His surroundings quickly devolved into turmoil. Witness accounts indicated that attendees frantically began pulling out injured patrons. Carwin vividly remembers the tragic moment he saw a saxophonist being retrieved, highlighting the horrific nature of the scene. Emergency responders arrived shortly after, with ambulances and stretchers streaming in, but Carwin found no machinery present to clear the wreckage.
After about an hour and a half at the scene, Carwin had to prioritize his mother's well-being over continuing his search for his friends. Tragically, later that day, the lifeless bodies of Jessica and her sister were discovered amidst the ruins.
"I regret not being able to do more for my friend," he said, grappling with the emotional burden of his experience, particularly feeling inadequate as he called out to her in vain. This calamity has left a deep scar on those who survived, further emphasizing the need for safety measures in public venues.
