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Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel has reportedly died after being trapped beneath the debris when a nightclub roof collapsed in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
The disaster has claimed at least 44 lives and left more than 160 injured, as emergency crews continue a desperate search for survivors.
MLB insider Hector Gomez reported on X that Octavio Dotel, 51, was rescued from the wreckage but tragically died en route to the hospital.
An estimated 100 people remain missing after the ceiling collapsed at Jet Set, a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic, where merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his band were performing at the time.
Dotel had a 15-year career in Major League Baseball, playing for 13 different teams — the second-most in league history. His longest stint was with the Houston Astros, where he spent five seasons. He was also part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series-winning team.
Dotel had been at the nightclub with friends and fellow former MLB players Henry Blanco — who played for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks — and Esteban Germán, who suited up for the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics. Both men reportedly left before the roof collapse occurred.
Germán posted a video of Pérez performing on his Instagram Story shortly before the disaster. He later shared an update, writing: “Lord, I’m fine, thanks to God. I’m out here trying to help… in case I don’t answer.”
Fans took to X to express their sorrow and pay tribute to Dotel.
One user wrote, “RIP. Always enjoyed watching him pitch. Lost too soon,” while another added, “This one stings. RIP to a legend on and off the diamond. Gone way too soon.” A third commented, “Loved watching him pitch. Shocked he is gone. May he Rest in Peace.”
At least 146 people have been rescued alive from the wreckage of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Authorities confirmed that more than 300 people were inside the venue when the roof collapsed.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown. A video shared on social media showed a man standing near the stage, pointing to the ceiling and claiming, “something fell from the ceiling.”
Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble for any remaining survivors. Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said: “We believe many may still be alive, and that’s why the authorities will not stop until every person is accounted for beneath the debris.”
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Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi Province and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was among those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
According to Enrique Paulino, manager of merengue star Rubby Pérez, the concert had started just before midnight. The roof collapsed nearly an hour later, killing the band’s saxophonist.
Speaking to reporters while visibly injured and covered in blood, Paulino recalled: “It happened so fast. I managed to dive into a corner,” adding that he initially believed it was an earthquake.
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