At least 66 people are dead when the death issue continues to rise after the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed, officials said on Tuesday. Among the dead is Octavio Dotel, Pitcher in the main league for 15 seasons.
More than 150 people were taken to hospitals through the ambulance after the stunning incident around 1 am at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, according to a publication on Instagram by National Police. Search and rescue operations to find people in the ruins, continued on Tuesday in the National District, to reporters Juan Manuel Mendis, director of the Emergency Operations Center.
“The loss of life leaves us in a state of deep pain and horror,” Jet Set said in a statement. “At this difficult time, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it is ours, because we are also in mourning.”
President Luis Abbander travels to the site on Tuesday to control the rescue efforts and to offer condolences to victims, footage shared by police shows. The President also declared three national days of mourning in the country and called on the flags to be flew to the half-chain.
Merengue singer Ruby Perez performed at the nightclub
Dominican meringen singer Ruby Perez performed at the club on Monday night, according to Instagram publications from the club. He was among those believed to have been killed according to numerous reports
The singer’s manager, Enrique Paulino, told reporters on stage that the roof collapsed almost an hour after the start of the performance, and the group’s saxophonist was killed, the Associated Press reports. USA Today turned to Paulino for comment.
Perez’s brother is a former baseball player in the main league, and other former players were among the crowd before the collapse, according to sports agent Paul Kinzer. “That’s where all the players go, all the big actions are going,” Kinser told the USA Today for Jet Set.
“We only hold on to God”
The crowds grew outside the club as people tried to seek their own friends and relatives in the destruction. Several of these loved ones told news news that they were astonished and prayed in the face of the tragedy.
Manuel Ortiz, whose son went to the nightclub, but who had not returned home since Tuesday afternoon, said to the AP as he was waiting outside the club “We only hold to God.”
In a hospital serving the victims, employees were heard to read the names of the survivors aloud, the store reports. People gathered around and shouted the names of their loved ones, who were still missing and asked about their location.
Masiel Quevas, the godfather of a 22-year-old woman who also went to the club, told the AP that he was also looking for any update on Tuesday.
“I’m waiting for her. She’s there, I know she’s there,” Quevas said.
People respond to the place where the roof of a nightclub with a jet collapsed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 8, 2025. Reuters/Erika Santlis TPX images of the day
A former MLB player among the killed
The 51 -year -old Dotel was a native of Santo Domingo, who played for 13 teams in 15 seasons after debuting with New York Mets in 1999.
After his MLB debut, Dotel was traded in Houston Astros, where he spent five years developing in one of the best men in the National League. He continued to introduce effectively at the end of his 30s, finally winning a ring of the World Series as a member of the Cardinals in St. Louis in 2011. In the next season, he returned to the World Series with Detroit Tigers, bringing five to Francis over six seasons after the season. Classic.
Kinzer told the USA Today client, the former MLB Esteban Germán player, left the club not long after the roof. Kinzer said he also represents the former MLB player Nephi Perez, who was not in the club when his brother Ruby Perez introduced himself. Kinzer said he was trying to contact Nephi Perez’s brother and other players to find out who else was in the club and whether they were injured.
Octavio Dotel is running for the Cardinals in St. Louis during the 2011 World Series Match 3 against Texas Rangers.
Governor of the area among the dead
Abinader said the dead include Nelsey Cruz, the sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz and the governor of the province of North Monte Christie.
Nelson Cruz said on social media that his sister’s remains would be shown in the Montecrist provincial government and a funeral would be held later on Tuesday.
“Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that happened at the nightclub with a set.
Contribution: Steve Gardner, USA today; Reuters
This article originally appeared in USA Today: At least 66 dead after the collapse of the Dominican Republic Nightclub