A heartbreaking incident has shaken the baseball world and the Dominican Republic. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel has reportedly passed away after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed nightclub in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The tragic event happened late Tuesday night, leaving fans, friends, and fellow athletes in deep shock.
What Happened at Jet Set Nightclub?
The roof of Jet Set, a well-known nightclub in Santo Domingo, suddenly collapsed during a live performance by merengue artist Rubby Pérez and his orchestra. The club was packed with over 300 people at the time. The collapse led to a major disaster, with at least 44 people confirmed dead and more than 160 injured.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene and have managed to pull 146 people alive from the debris. However, over 100 people are still missing. Officials believe some of them may still be alive, and the search efforts are continuing around the clock.
Octavio Dotel Among the Victims
Octavio Dotel, who was 51 years old, was at the club with several friends, including former MLB players Henry Blanco and Esteban Germán. Fortunately, Blanco and Germán left the club before the roof came down. Dotel, however, was pulled from the rubble alive but tragically died on the way to the hospital.
Dotel had a long and successful career in Major League Baseball. He played for 13 different teams over 15 years, which is the second-highest number of teams for any player in MLB history. His longest time was with the Houston Astros, but he won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
More Tragic Losses in the Collapse
Sadly, another former MLB player, Tony Blanco, also lost his life in the collapse. Blanco played for the Washington Nationals in 2005. The list of victims also includes Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. Enrique Paulino, the manager of Rubby Pérez, confirmed that the group’s saxophonist was killed too.
Paulino, who was at the concert, said the roof fell just an hour after the performance started. Covered in blood, he shared that he thought it was an earthquake when the collapse began.
The Community Reacts
Fans around the world are mourning the loss of Octavio Dotel. Many took to social media to share their sadness and memories. One fan wrote, “RIP. Always enjoyed watching him pitch. Lost too soon.” Another shared, “This one stings. RIP to a legend on and off the diamond.”
Esteban Germán, who was also at the club, posted a video of the concert before the collapse. After escaping safely, he shared a message saying he was okay and was trying to help those still inside.
What Caused the Collapse?
The exact reason behind the collapse is still unknown. A video clip from the night showed a man pointing at the roof and saying something had fallen.
Emergency officials are investigating the cause. Juan Manuel Méndez, head of the Emergency Operations Center, said they believe some people might still be alive under the rubble, and they will not stop until everyone is found.
This tragic nightclub collapse has claimed the lives of beloved sports figures and many innocent people enjoying a night out.
The loss of Octavio Dotel and others is deeply felt in the Dominican Republic and around the world. Rescue teams are working hard to find those still missing, while investigations continue to find out what led to this disaster.
