Former MLB star Octavio Dotel is among dozens killed and more than 150 injured when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
The 51-year-old Dominican baseball pitcher died from injuries sustained in the roof collapse, which happened shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday during a merengue concert at the nightclub, located in nation’s capital of Santo Domingo.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of former major league player Tony Blanco, 43, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northern Monte Cristi province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. The collapse killed at least 79 people.
Nelsy Cruz called Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader after the collapse to tell him that she was trapped, the Associated Press and the Guardian reported, citing the country’s first lady, Raquel Arbaje.
‘Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,’ MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. ‘The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.’
Here’s what we know so far, including whether authorities have said anything about a possible cause.
How many people died in Dominican Republic roof collapse?
‘From the very beginning, we have activated all possible mechanisms to provide support to those affected,’ Jet Set said in a statement shared on Instagram. ‘The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay.’
What caused the roof collapse?
A cause is not yet known.
The club’s owner, Antonio Espaillat, took to Instagram to say that he and the club were cooperating with and helping authorities.
‘There are not enough words to express the pain this event has caused,’ he said. ‘What happened was devastating for all. We want you to know that we are with you, that we share your grief.’
In the minutes leading up to the collapse, video showed that people inside the club were pointing at the roof and that there was a fire at the same nightclub in 2023, ABC News reported.
Who was performing at the night club?
Dominican merengue singer Rubby Pérez performed at the club Monday night, Jet Set confirmed through Instagram posts. The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, told reporters at the scene that the tragedy happened nearly an hour after Pérez’s set began, according to the Associated Press.
It’s unclear whether the musician behind the song ‘Buscando Tus Besos’ was injured but Paulino confirmed the group’s saxophonist was killed, AP reported.
USA TODAY has reached out to Paulino and Espaillat for comment.
Who is Octavio Dotel?
Dotel, 51, was a native of Santo Domingo who played for 13 teams over his 15 seasons in the majors from 1999 to 2013. Originally signed by the New York Mets, Dotel was traded to the Houston Astros after making his MLB debut in 1999 and he spent five years in Houston – where he developed into one of the National League’s top setup men.
In 2003, he made history when he, Hall of Famer Billy Wagner and four other Astros pitchers combined to no-hit the New York Yankees.
Wagner was traded that offseason, and Dotel took over the closer’s role for the Astros in 2004. That June he was traded to Oakland in a blockbuster three-team deal that sent eventual postseason hero Carlos Beltran to Houston. Dotel finished the year with a career-high 36 saves.
Who is Tony Blanco?
Tony Blanco was a former Major League Baseball player who appeared in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005. He also played in minor league baseball in the U.S. for eight years and later went on to play in Japan.
Blanco played with several teams during his eight seasons in Japan’s top Nippon Baseball League, including the Orix Buffaloes, the Chunichi Dragons, and the Yokohama Bay Stars. However he retired his baseball career after the 2016-17 season with the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League.
The San Juan de la Maguana native was also the father of Tony Blanco Jr., who is a prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Who is Nelsy Cruz?
Nelsy Cruz was the governor of Montecristi, a northwestern province in the Dominican Republic, and the sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.
Nelson Cruz confirmed his sister’s death through a statement posted on his Instagram story:
‘With profound pain, the Cruz Martínez family informs the passing of our beloved sister, mother, daughter, aunt and friend: Nelsy M. Cruz Martínez who in her life moved with dedication, commitment and love for her people and community.’
This story was updated to add new information