Dozens dead, including former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, after roof collapses at Dominican Republic nightclub

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The death toll continued to rise after the roof of a nightclub collapse, Dominican Republic, during a concert.

General Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the emergency operations center in the country, said at least 113 people were killed and 155 others were injured in the roof collapse in the nightclub.

The National Police said that the search and rescue operation was underway in the rubble after the collapse in the place, located in the capital of Santo Domingo.

The accident took place at 12:34 am on Tuesday, during a concert issued by the Merengue Dominican Ruby Perez, according to the police. The police said the ceiling collapsed within seconds.

“We strongly regret the tragedy that occurred in a group nightclub,” Louis Abenader, President of the Dominican Republic, said in a social media position. “We have followed the accident in the minute since it happened. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are tirelessly working in rescue efforts. Our prayers with the affected families.”

Among the deceased former MLB player Octavio Dotel, 51, according to the Minister of Interior and Police in the Dominican Republic, Faride Raful.

Dutel was withdrawn from the rubble by the rescue sets but died in an ambulance while he was on his way to the hospital, according to Colonel Randolfo Rego Gomez, the country’s 911 emergency services.

Dominican’s jug played 13 MLB teams, including Mets and Astros, which held a moment of silence for Dutel before their match on Tuesday.

“We are sad for the death of Octavio Dutel,” Mits said in a post on social media. “Our ideas with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”

Dotel was part of a joint hit against Yankees in June 2003, a team that he would play after three years.

A former MLB player, Tony Blanco, 44, was killed in the collapse of the roof, according to the Dominican Ministry of Sports and Entertainment. Dominican baseball player with Washington played citizens as well as professionalism in Japan and the Dominican Republic.

The ministry said in a statement on social media: “His legacy will live in the history of the national baseball.” “We participate in their grief with their families, friends and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal comfort.”

The governor of Montecressi Nelsi Milgros Cruz Martinez was also among the dead, according to the National Police Office and the Abinader office. The sister of the former MLB star, Nelson Cruz, who participated in a statement from the Cruz Martinez family on social media that says that “the legacy of service and love for others will live forever in our hearts.”

“The main baseball game is very sad due to the permits of Octavio Dute, Tony Blanco, Nelsi Cruz, and all the victims of the tragedy last night in Santo Domingo,” MLB Commissioner for Bibs, Robert Manfred Junior said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt condolences to families and friends for all those who were influenced by our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The relationship between baseball and the Dominican Republic passes deeply, and we think about all Dominican players and fans all over the game today.”

Many families gathered at the scene in search of their loved ones who were inside the club, according to DJ Shakirax, who was in a nightclub and videos from the scene.

The police said that the investigation of the cause of the collapse was underway.

The authorities said that there was a fire in 2023, part of a nightclub.

ABC ‘Aicha El Hammar Castano and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.