MLB Pitcher Octavio Dotel & 79 Others Killed In Nightclub Roof Collapse In Dominican Republic

Longtime Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel was among the people killed after the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early Tuesday morning, government officials confirmed. The Dominican Republic Ministry of Sports and Recreation confirmed his passing with a post on Instagram on April 8. “We deeply regret the passing of former Major Leagues and Immortal of Dominican Sport, Octavio Dotel,” the post reads. “His legacy on and off the field leaves an indelible mark on national baseball history. Peace to his soul and strength to his family and loved ones.” The Ministry of Sports and Recreation also confirmed in a separate post that Tony Blanco, who played one season in the MLB, died following the collapse. At least 79 people died and more than 155 were taken to hospitals after the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo during a concert for merengue singer Rubby Perez early Tuesday morning, Dominican Republic police officials said in a press conference on Tuesday. Perez did not survive.