August 14, 2023 marked a before and after in the lives of dozens of families who lost their loved ones in the tragic burst occurred in the area of the old market of the province of Saint ChristopherThat afternoon, at 3:23, a pop devastated the area, claiming the lives of 42 people.
In addition to the deadmany victims were injured and, a year after the tragedysome have still not been able to assimilate what happened.
What began as a beautiful afternoon with a bright sun turned into a scene of horror. Flames and thick smoke darkened the sky, enveloping much of the city in a cloud of despair.
Of the 42 victims who never returned to their homes, 12 have not yet been foundnot even part of their bones. After a year of uncertainty for their relatives, these people were officially declared dead, through the promulgation of the Law 41-24 by the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader.
In the most area affected Casa stores were operating ToledoVidal Plast, Agroveterinaria La Esperanza and the Clemente y Garrión Blacksmith Workshop, businesses that were completely destroyed.
The faces of those who never returned
Their bodies They appeared
- Costa Rican Manuel Cruz
- Jorgelina Ravelo
- Francis Julian Matthew Encarnacion
- Mariela del Rosario
- Cheiri Vizcaíno Sierra
- Ana Anyelin Nivar
- Steicy Pinales
- Julio Agustin Vittini Cuevas
- Saint Manuel of Jesus
- Andres Valsaint
- Dolphin Garcia Family
- Wilkin Soto
- Rogelio Aristides Benzat
- Hector Ramon Cuello Ramirez
- Rafael Solano
- Milka Maribel Benzant Figuereo
- Brendy Daril Toledo Benzant
- Ana Iris Cruceta
- Griselda Maria Felix
- Karina Heredia
- Queen Heredia Mercedes
- Jessica Brito
- Khaled Sofa Harb
- Mariela Rosario Nova
- Faustino Nivar Done
- Carlos Jovanny Veras
- Gabino Perez
- Manuel Ortega
- Gabino Aquino
- Jacobina Urbaez
Of those who never knew nothing
- Alfonso Cuevas Caves
- Dionisio Guzman Perdomo
- Victor Manuel Hernandez
- Angel Luis Uribe Mendez
- Eridania Jorge Alcantara
- Irma Isabel Dipre Miranda
- Juan Mateo Casilla
- Paulette Brea Solis
- Jose Vicente Dicent Rivera
- Light Esther Mateo
- Kings Soto Abad
- Emil Fanuel Figuereo
Saint Christopher commemorates one year of the tragedy
Between hugs, tears, photographs, music and white balloons that rose to the sky, the relatives of the victims of the burst in Saint Christopher commemorated this August 14 the first anniversary of a tragedy which left an indelible mark on their hearts.
The loved ones of those who passed away that day gathered to honor their memories in a solemn mass.
After mass, they marched together to Central and Piedra Viva parks, carrying signs, black ribbons and T-shirts with images of the victims of the terrible burstThe pain of those who, a year later, are still trying to understand how their lives changed in an instant is evident on their faces.
During a floral offering in Colón Park, in front of City Hall Saint Christopherknown locally as the “Lazy Park”, the relatives They raised their voices, crying out for justice and demanding answers from the authorities about what happened.
They ask for “justice and TRUE“
Relatives and other close friends went to the so-called ground zero of the tragedywhere representatives of the commission created to clarify the event held a press conference to demand a detailed report from the Government on what “really” happened that day.
They accused the State of being inefficient and indolent, and demand justice for all the families who lost their loved ones.
The relatives of the victims They still wonder what could have caused a tragedy of such magnitude.
They said that the authorities have not offered information on the matter and that the issue has been forgotten, despite the fact that they have knocked on many doors in search of the TRUEThey feel that there are many loose ends and that the authorities are trying to hide the causes Royals of the sinister for reasons unknown to them.
They understand that both the Ministry Public as the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (J2) should have informed, at least, the relatives about what happened on August 14.
The National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) still has the remains of some people who died in the explosion that day, since they did not match the DNA tests carried out on the relatives who claimed the bodies.
Sonia Lebrón, director of the forensic body, confirmed to Diario Libre during an interview the existence of bodies in the morgue, however, she did not offer details of the exact number.
MP accuses the Vidal family
He Ministry Public accused Edward Armando Vidal Garrido, owner of the company Vidal Plast, as responsible of the burst. In addition, his wife and one of his daughters were also linked to the case.
In the request for coercive measures, the prosecuting body indicated that the burst It happened in the facilities from Vidal Plast SRL, owned by Vidal Garrido, Maribel Sandoval Almánzar de Vidal and Mercedes Altagracia Vidal Sandoval.
The report indicates that a strong earthquake occurred at the site burst with shock waves that caused serious damage.
In addition, according to the report of the Corps of Firefighters of San Cristobal The emission of combustible gases without ventilation in the Vidal Plast plastic recycling company was what caused the burst.
