Colombian DJ survived Hamas attack at Supernova Music Festival, transforms trauma into healing music
Suddenly, the car crashed into a fence. We became trapped and exposed in the middle of nowhere, with wires jamming the doors. I tried to get out through the back, but it proved impossible. While attempting to leave the car, I saw bullet holes and shattered glass on the ground. I returned to the front and kicked out the window, my friend following closely behind.
- 3 weeks ago
August 23, 2024
The Supernova Music Festival turned into a nightmare on October 7, 2023, as a Hamas attack claimed at least 260 lives and took captives. | Photo courtesy of Laura Malo
TEL AVIV, Israel ꟷ On October 7, 2023, at 6:45 a.m., my friend Itamar and I enjoyed the Supernova Music Festival in a forest in southern Israel. Suddenly, missiles rumbled around us. Initially, we thought we were dealing with a temporary disturbance, as I live nearby and am used to hearing bombs. However, the noise persisted for nearly two hours. The music kept playing until we saw the sky turning gray from the explosions, creating a haze that indicated chaos was coming.
Immediately, I dropped to the ground, along with many others, and experienced a panic attack that lasted about 20 minutes. Once we settled our nerves, we hurried to the road, determined to escape. My friend, Itamar kept telling me this would not end soon. We ran with all our strength, and when we finally reached my car, terror overwhelmed us. Itamar drove as fast as he could while I urged him to speed up. Fear consumed me as bombs and missiles fell around us, and I prayed none would hit us.
Read more stories on the Isreal-Palestine conflict at Orato World Media.
Woman escapes Supernova Music Festival massacre, fleeing terrorists in car on unknown route
On October 7, 2023, when Hamas stormed the Supernova Music Festival in Israel, around 3,000 young people danced to the music. Hamas opened fire indiscriminately, massacring 260 people. They kidnapped others. To save our lives, my friend Itamar and I escaped in a car. Instinctively, I took the road to the right instead of the left which led home. We turned southward without knowing where to go.
After driving for a short while, we spotted a bunker in the middle of the road and decided to seek shelter there. Inside, we met 10 people from various backgrounds, some from the festival, others who just left work. We experienced the same terror and shock, which united us. To distract ourselves, we engaged in conversations as we heard the terrorists’ gunfire drawing closer. We did not realize the attack came from terrorists until that moment. Fear engulfed us and we froze for a few seconds.
After a while, we decided to leave the bunker. Outside, an Arab couple ran toward us and urgently warned us to run. They told us the terrorists targeted anyone in their path. I rushed back to my car with Itamar while the others from the bunker scattered in different directions. We got into the car, started it, and drove without a specific route. We aimed solely to escape the chaos and save our lives. At the same time, we called the police to report the gunfire in the area and then assessed possible routes to take.
Car crashes into fence as gunfire erupts, survivors take shelter in greenhouse
During the harrowing escape, we headed towards Kibbutz Nir Oz, hoping for a safe place. As we approached the kibbutz, we saw an armed guard at the gate. To our horror, the young man, whom I initially believed to be an Israeli soldier, aimed his machine gun at us and began shooting. We swerved, turned around, and sped away, realizing how far the terrorists advanced.
Soon, the road turned into rubble, debris, and rocks. The car jolted and hit everything on the sides. As we fled, panic overtook me entirely. I believed I might die right there and never see my family again. Suddenly, the car crashed into a fence. We became trapped and exposed in the middle of nowhere, with wires jamming the doors. I tried to get out through the back, but it proved impossible. While attempting to leave the car, I saw bullet holes and shattered glass on the ground. I returned to the front and kicked out the window, my friend following closely behind.
After we got out of the car, we ran without knowing where to go. We felt disoriented, unsure safety existed anywhere. Unexpectedly, we spotted an abandoned greenhouse and decided to hide there. We stayed in the greenhouse in silence, fearing any noise might give away our position. Fear kept us mute and paralyzed.
Two survive close encounters with terrorists by hiding in camouflaged car
As the hours passed, our dead phones kept us from sending our location to our family for rescue. With darkness setting in, gunshots and terrorists’ voices grew louder and closer. Desperate, we decided to risk a brief dash to the car to charge the battery. Crawling on the ground, we reached the car and managed to get a minimal charge before crawling back to our hiding place.
Hurriedly, I sent our location and called my parents, saying a difficult goodbye. I felt unsure we would ever see them again. As the clock ticked on, silence enveloped our hiding spot. Every breath felt deafening as we saw terrorists passing by meters away.
Without food or water, we stayed still and silent, praying to God that the terrorists would not find us. Fortunately, the car appeared abandoned, camouflaged by the fence and scattered garbage. This disguise saved our lives because the terrorists would have found and killed us without mercy.
Rescue team finds survivors after 16 hours, reunites them with families
Eventually, Itamar contacted his reservist brother, who notified his commander. The commander instructed us to wait. Unarmed but in uniform, they arrived in the area, risking their lives. They informed the army about our situation and set out to find us.
Initially, they searched in the wrong place, but eventually, in the darkness, we heard someone calling our names. Initially, we did not respond because we feared it might be a trap and felt unsure whom to trust. Then, we heard them call out that Itamar’s brother sent them. At that moment, we felt safe to come out. Seeing all the soldiers, I breathed a sigh of relief. After 16 hours, hope finally appeared.
Once the rescue team found us, they took us straight to the hospital. We suffered severe injuries and dehydration from the hours spent hiding. On the way, I called my parents to tell them I survived and would see them again. The next day, I reunited with my family, who remained aware of the situation happening at the festival and in the region. Our reunion became incredibly emotional. As soon as I arrived at my family’s home, we hugged each other tightly and cried uncontrollably.
Navigating the pain of survival and healing
Returning home proved incredibly challenging and living through war brought deep pain. To that point, I only understood what I experienced directly. Once home, I read countless news stories about the areas terrorists reached and the horrific acts they committed.
The death toll continued to rise, and my heart ached for the children whom terrorists took from their parents or killed. I also grieved for the women whom terrorists raped and murdered. The pain extended to all the people who never returned to their families or remained in Gaza, kidnapped.
As a believer, I felt conflicted. I knew God saved my life but not others, which saddened me. I felt guilty for surviving. As I look ahead, I find it challenging to maintain a routine. The healing process feels tough. Memories and fears of that day haunt me, especially at night. They prevent me from sleeping. Certain noises or situations trigger flashbacks to the massacre, a pain I wish I could forget but I cannot.
I believe everything happens for a reason, and this belief gives me the strength to continue each day. What does not kill you makes you stronger. I am confident we will eventually see the light again and emerge from this darkness and terror.
Music as a sanctuary: turning pain into healing and hope amidst war
In the initial weeks after the attack, shock immobilized me, leaving me unable to do anything. Seeking solace, I traveled abroad to be with my family, who enveloped me in their love. I brought my computer and a small piano to compose music based on the emotions trapped inside me. As a DJ, music producer, and composer, music became my sanctuary and a means of healing, helping me to reorganize myself.
Surviving instills in me the strength and determination to chase my dreams and fight for my goals. At first, I played conventional electronic music, but after October 7th, I decided to forge a new path. Now, I create music that reflects my journey, expressing the pain I carry and granting me a sense of freedom.
I vividly recall writing my first two songs after the Hamas attack on Israel. As tears streamed down my face, it blurred the ink on the pages. Each verse encapsulates the pain I hope will eventually transform into something else over time. I aspire for my music to aid in the healing process for listeners or serve as a tribute to those who died or are missing. War dehumanizes us and corrodes or social structure. Today, the entire country grieves the loss of countless lives. Let’s hope for an end to this suffering soon.
