Outrage in San Cristóbal following acquittal for Vidal Plast explosion
The San Cristóbal community has expressed its deep discontent following the decision of a single-judge court to declare the owners of the company Vidal Plast innocent. The judicial ruling ends, in the first instance, the criminal proceedings against those involved in the tragedy that occurred on August 14, 2023, which resulted in 38 deaths and numerous injuries.
The ruling favored Edward Armando Vidal Garrido, Maribel Sandoval Almánzar, and Mercedes Altagracia Vidal Sandoval, as well as the company Vidal Plast SRL. The Public Prosecutor’s Office had prosecuted them on charges of involuntary manslaughter, pointing to alleged recklessness and violations of storage and environmental safety regulations.
Voices of those affected demand answers
After the resolution was made known, citizens who were direct witnesses or relatives of the victims have raised their voices to question the lack of those responsible for a tragedy of such magnitude. Jesús Javier, one of the residents who has followed the case closely, described the result as institutional irresponsibility.
They still haven’t said anything. They said they are free from all of that, but I see that as an irresponsibility because what about the people who died there? The Government hasn’t done anything nor says anything.
Jesús Javier, affected citizen
For her part, another resident identified as Mayra emphasized the need for the authorities to continue investigating to clarify the facts and ensure that justice is served to those who, in her opinion, caused the incident.
Legal situation and new actions
Defense attorney Teobaldo Durán confirmed that his clients were acquitted in both criminal and civil matters, given that the victims’ families withdrew their claims for compensation during the proceedings.
However, the legal conflict does not end here. Roberto Faxas, legal representative for a group of victims, reported that the claim has been moved to the Superior Administrative Court. As he explained, a lawsuit for RD$3.8 billion remains active against the San Cristóbal City Council and the Ministry of Public Works, whom they point to as indirectly responsible due to omissions in their duties.
- 38 fatalities were confirmed after the incident.
- 12 additional people were legally declared deceased by the National Congress after remaining as missing.
- The case continues to generate debate regarding industrial safety and state responsibility in protecting the citizenry.
