By Reyna Echenique
Special for El Inmobiliario
Amid the collective grief that the Dominican Republic is experiencing after the collapse of a nightclub, we reflect on the value of human life, the unpredictable nature of tragedies, and the hope that sustains us even in the darkest moments.
Today I don't feel like writing, I just feel like crying. Even so, I pick up my phone and begin to write this article, born from a mixture of pain and hope. Today I let the lawyer and real estate agent inside me sleep, allowing my more human side to surface. Through tears, I write these reflections that spring from the heart more than from reason.
It was the early morning of April 8th in the Dominican Republic. What began as a night of dancing and enjoying one of the most beautiful voices in the Dominican Republic, " The Highest Voice of Merengue ," turned into a night of tears and sorrow. In the blink of an eye, "The Voice" was silenced by a roof that muffled not only his voice but also the voices of hundreds of people who danced and sang along with him... among them children of friends, relatives of friends, acquaintances, and many families who were left without fathers, without mothers, without children.
I have felt great anguish for the families affected, who lost loved ones on that fateful day. How can a structure designed to house hundreds of people fail so catastrophically? As the Bible reminds us: “Time and unforeseen events happen to everyone” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). When an accident or unexpected situation occurs, there may or may not be casualties. That depends largely on where and when it happens.
Beyond the laws: A system to protect lives
Although I wanted to set aside my role as a lawyer today, I cannot ignore that our laws exist precisely to protect what is most precious: human life. At this moment, I am reflecting on how our Dominican legal framework was conceived as a shield for its people.
The Civil Code, the Urban Planning Law, the Building Regulations… all these documents that I normally analyze with professional detachment, I now see for what they truly are: attempts by our society to protect one another. When Article 1386 speaks of “liability for the ruin of a building,” it is really saying: “make sure your construction doesn’t harm anyone.”
Owners, engineers, authorities, event organizers… we are all part of a system that, when it works properly, allows us to enjoy joyful moments like that merengue night with peace of mind. It's not about fines or penalties, it's about looking out for each other.
The human cost: Beyond the material
This tragedy reminds us that building and safety regulations are not mere bureaucratic requirements, but safeguards for human lives. Even in ancient Israel, as reflected in the Bible, Jehovah commanded builders to place a parapet on the roof to prevent falls—an age-old way of protecting life.
The consequences of an event like this go far beyond the material:
- For the families : An immeasurable pain that no financial compensation can ever repair.
- For the community : The loss of trust in institutions and in public and private spaces.
- For the country : A collective emotional wound that marks us as a society.
As Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us, “Time and unforeseen events happen to everyone.” However, although accidents are a part of life, our responsibility as a society is to minimize their impact through prevention and compliance with regulations.
The promise that transcends tragedy
In the midst of so much pain, my faith reminds me that those who died that night did not pass away without hope. They have the promise of the resurrection, as Jehovah assures us in his word, the Bible, at John 5:28-29: “ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear his voice and come out: those who did good things, to a resurrection of life, and those who did evil things, to a resurrection of judgment .” Also, at Acts 24:15, we are told of “the hope in God… that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”
This hope does not lessen the present pain but reminds us that death, even in such tragic circumstances, does not have the last word.
Reflections for a safer society
Although we cannot completely control "time and the unforeseen event" that Ecclesiastes speaks of, we can work on:
- Strengthening the culture of prevention : Raising awareness about the importance of complying with safety regulations.
- Improve monitoring systems : Propose more effective inspection and control mechanisms.
- Value life above economic gain : Always remember that no amount of saving justifies putting human lives at risk.
- Supporting the victims : Accompanying those who have lost loved ones, not only in the initial moment but throughout the long grieving process.
United in pain and hope
The paradox is clear: in a country with clear building and safety regulations, we witness a tragedy that leaves a deep sorrow. Perhaps this is the moment to reflect on the importance of complying with these regulations, not out of fear of penalties, but because of the intrinsic value of every human life.
Today I write through tears, but with the hope that this reflection will help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. May the memory of those who lost their lives on April 8th inspire us to build a safer and more conscious society.
To the families who mourn today, I offer my deepest condolences. Their pain is our pain, and their hope is our hope. Jehovah promises at Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor crying nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
And as one of the most emblematic songs of "The Voice" says: "I will return, I will return"... yes, he will return, and not only "The Voice" but also the voices of hundreds of people who sleep in death today, because Jehovah has promised it, and He never fails to keep His promises. Until that day, we accompany each other on this path of grief and hope.
The author of this article is someone who knows firsthand the pain of losing a loved one. These reflections stem from both her professional knowledge and her personal experience with grief and loss, allowing her to approach this tragedy not only from a legal perspective but also with empathy and a deep understanding of human suffering.
