At least 60 people are dead and 160 injured after a roof collapsed during a concert at Jet Set nightclub in the capital of Santo Domingo.
Former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Octavio Dotel is among the at least 79 people killed after a roof collapsed at a Dominican Republic nightclub on Tuesday.
The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League confirmed Dotel’s death on social media, expressing their condolences for the Dominican Sports Hall of Famer.
As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 160 people were left injured after attending a concert by merengue singer Rubby Pérez, at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, with the death toll expected to rise. An estimated 300 people gathered for the performance.
The concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later on April 8. It remains unclear what led to the collapse.
“So far, 101 transfers have been made to different hospitals in the National District,” National Police wrote on Instagram Tuesday morning. “Search, rescue, and medical assistance efforts remain active in the affected area.”
Dotel, a native of Santo Domingo, made his MLB debut in 1999 when he signed with the New York Mets and played for 13 teams throughout his 15-season career.
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“We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel,” wrote the Mets in response to the news. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”
He also spent five seasons with the Houston Astros from 2000 to 2004, before being traded to the Oakland Athletics.
“We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals that passed away when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night,” wrote the Astros on X.
“While in Houston, he was one of the top relievers in all of baseball and was a significant part of a dominant bullpen. … A workhorse, Dotel’s club-leading 159 appearances in 2002-03 combined were second in the Majors in that span, during which he posted a 2.15 ERA.”
In 2011, he was also a member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the World Series over the Texas Rangers.
Dotel is survived by his wife Massiel and their two children Eduardo and Nicole.
Dotel had been at the concert with another former MLB player Tony Blanco, who also died, according to Dominican news outlet Noticias SIN. Blanco briefly played for the Washington Nationals, appearing in 56 games, and eventually played seven years in Japan.
Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz, was also among the deceased.
In a statement, President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, weighed in on the tragedy, noting authorities have been following “minute by minute” since the incident occurred.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub,” he wrote on X.
“All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”
The nightclub in question also issued a statement, noting they are working diligently with local authorities to find out exactly what happened, before offering their condolences to the victims and families impacted by the collapse.
“Last night, a tragedy struck a deep note in the hearts of all of us who are part of Jet Set and all Dominicans. The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay,” Jet Set wrote on Instagram.
“In this difficult time, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own, because we are also in mourning. From the very beginning, we have activated all possible mechanisms to provide support to those affected.”
“We join in the expressions of solidarity from across the country in this unexpectedly painful situation,” the post concluded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
