Tragedy Strikes Santo Domingo Nightclub: Survivor Shares Harrowing Account

In a heart-wrenching recount, survivor Carwin Javie Molleja describes the chaos and despair following the tragic roof collapse that claimed over 220 lives during a concert.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Santo Domingo's Jet Set nightclub transformed from a vibrant venue to a scene of horror as the ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, killing at least 221 patrons. Among the survivors is Carwin Javie Molleja, who was enjoying a long-awaited reunion with his mother, Carmin, after three years apart, when disaster struck.

“It was supposed to be a night of joy,” reflects Carwin, who had come to the Dominican Republic eight years prior. As he danced with his mother to merengue music, the sound of debris falling went initially unnoticed. “No-one thought that because a small stone fell the entire roof was going to collapse,” he recalls.

As the ceiling began to fall, chaos ensued. “What I remember are the screams. My mom was calling for me, and I was calling for her. Everything happened so fast,” he said, recalling how instinctively he clutched his mother for safety. Although they both sustained slight injuries, many others were not as fortunate—over 218 guests were killed, including beloved saxophonist Rubby Pérez.

In the pandemonium, amidst the screams and confusion, Carwin faced a heart-wrenching decision. After ensuring his mother reached safety, he made several desperate attempts to locate his friend Jessica and her sister, who were still trapped inside. “The stones were huge. I felt powerless,” he admitted, as rescue efforts began to unfold outside the club.

With emergency services arriving fast, the scene quickly turned frantic as bystanders attempted to help. Carwin noted the chaos: “People were going crazy. They were pulling out injured people, and I saw when they pulled out the saxophonist who died,” showcasing the heartbreaking reality for many who were present that night.

Despite Carwin's attempts to reach out for help, he felt frustration and helplessness. “After that, the calls stopped going through,” he lamented, describing the moments he tried to call out to friends amidst distress and debris.

Later that day, Carwin learned that Jessica and her sister had not survived. “It was horrible not being able to help her,” he said, filled with regret over his inability to assist his friend. The tragedy has left a lasting impact not only on Carwin’s life but on the entire community, highlighting both the fragility of life and the randomness of fate.