Dominican Republic roof collapse: 2 former MLB players dead in tragedy

Octavio Dotel, a World Sequence champion Werper, and former Main League Tony Blanco belonged to those that died after the collapse of a roof in a nightclub of the Dominican Republic, officers mentioned on Tuesday.

Dotel was a resident of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and was within the evening membership within the Jet set on Tuesday when the roof fell when singer Rubby Pérez carried out on stage.

Officers had beforehand saved Dotel from the rubble and introduced him to a hospital. However the World Sequence champion later succumbed to his accidents. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and spokesperson for the skilled Baseball League Satosky Terro additionally confirmed the demise of Dominican baseball participant Tony Blanco.

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Former MLB reliever Octavio Dotel was one of many killed in a devastating roof in a nightclub of the Dominican Republic. (AP)

Blanco performed a season within the Majors with the Washington Nationals in 2005. He performed most of his profession within the minors and in Japan.

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Rescue employees search for survivors within the Jet Set Nightclub after the roof collapsed throughout a live performance in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday 8 April 2025. (Noticias Sin through AP)

A spokesperson for the Dominican Nationwide Police confirmed that Dotel died whereas he was touring to the hospital.

“Dotel was taken to one of many designated hospitals. On the highway there his situation deteriorated and he died,” mentioned police spokesman Diego Pesqueira.

Fox Information Digital contacted the Emergency Operations Heart and an agent for Dotel for remark, however didn’t instantly hear once more.

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and Sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, additionally belonged to the victims. She had referred to as the Dominican Republic -President Luis Abinader at 12:49 pm native time and mentioned she was imprisoned and that the roof had collapsed, the First Woman Raquel Abraje of the Dominican Republic informed reporters.

Civil servants mentioned Cruz later died within the hospital.

Manfred printed a press release about their demise.

“Main League Baseball is deeply saddened by the steps of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz and all of the victims of the tragedy of final evening in Santo Domingo,” he mentioned. “We ship our honest condolences to the households and mates of all those that have been hit and to our colleague Nelson and his whole household.

“The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic is deeply operating, and we consider all Dominican gamers and followers within the recreation at the moment.”

Dotel performed for the Houston Astros from 2000-04. The workforce paid tribute to the deceased pitcher on Tuesday afternoon.

The confirmed demise toll had reached 58 on Tuesday afternoon, Méndez mentioned. Earlier, civil servants had mentioned that not less than 160 folks had been injured.

Dotel performed for 13 MLB groups throughout his 15-year-old Main League profession. He debuted with the New York Mets And final appeared in a recreation with the Detroit Tigers in 2013.

Dotel performed for 13 MLB groups throughout his 15-year-old Main League profession. (Dennis Wierzbicki/USA Right this moment Sports activities)

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The pitcher was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals workforce that defeated the Texas Rangers in Recreation Seven of the World Sequence 2011. He ended his large league profession with 109 Saves.

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Dotel is survived by his spouse Massiel and their two youngsters, based on his MLB-Gente Bio.

The Related Press has contributed to this report.

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