Two ex-Major League Baseball players are among the more than 120 who lost their lives when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, Fox News reported. Local authorities pulled bodies from the rubble as the cause remained unknown.
Among the revelers in the ill-fated Jet Set nightclub was 43-year-old Tony Blanco, a Dominican baseball player who spent one season with the Washington Nationals. Also at the club was World Series champion pitcher Octavio Dotel, 51, who played for 13 teams in his career.
"Dotel was taken to one of the designated hospitals. On the way there, his condition worsened, and he died," police spokesman Diego Pesqueira said. The harrowing footage was shared on news outlets across X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.
At least 66 people killed, and 155 injured when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. Among the deceased is former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel. @VictorOquendo the latest. https://t.co/en3KfSGmX7 pic.twitter.com/kKbWHUhNci
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 9, 2025
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement honoring the two fallen players. Also among the dead was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the province of Montecristi and sister of former Texas Ranger and MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.
"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. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family," Manfred wrote.
"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," he added. The Houston Astros, where Dotel spent five seasons as the "top reliever," also shared the sad news.
Beverly Hills Sports Council President Dan Horwits, who was Dotel's agent, called him a "one of a kind" in a statement to Fox Digital News. "The BHSC Family is saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Octavio Dotel. OD was one of a kind. One of the true joys to be around both on and off the field," Horwits said.
"His energy, positivity and zest for life were infectious to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. During his Major League career, he set the MLB record for playing with the most organizations (13). He was genuinely proud of holding that record and would always crack a joke to anyone who asked. It was an honor to represent OD," the statement said, along with offering "condolences" to loved ones.
The Washington Post reported that the death toll climbed to 124 by Wednesday evening. Rescue crews continued to work and involved at least 300 emergency service personnel from the Dominican Republic, a dozen from Puerto Rico, and another nine from Israel.
"If we find people alive, we will communicate it immediately. We won’t ever lose hope," Center for Emergency Operations Director Juan Manuel Méndez said as rescuers continued to sift through the rubble.
So far, another 155 have been hurt after concrete and equipment fell onto the dance floor during a musical performance. Sadly, beloved Dominican singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the collapse occurred, also perished.
The 69-year-old, who was known for having "the highest voice in merengue," was initially thought to have been pulled from the debris and brought to an area hospital. However, Pérez's daughter Paulin said that was incorrect and that her father had died.
This was a tragic event that cut too many lives too short. Unfortunately, the death toll may climb if those trapped underneath are not rescued and those in the hospital succumb to their injuries.
