Ex-MLB star Octavio Dotel pulled alive from rubble of Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse
By Emily Crane and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon
MLB star Octavio Dotel was one of the lucky few pulled alive from the rubble of a Dominican Republic nightclub after a roof collapse that left at least 27 people dead Tuesday, according to sources and local media reports.
Dotel was among at least eight people who were rescued after the roof came down at the renowned Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo as popular merengue singer, Rubby Pérez, was mid-performance, Noticias SIN reported. At least 120 people were injured,
Pérez was pulled alive from the rubble, according to local media.
Octavio Dotel of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrating after the third out of the seventh inning during the 2011 World Series Game 7 against the Texas Rangers
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Former MLB star Octavio Dotel was rescued from the rubble of the deadly Dominican Republic roof collapse Tuesday.
Getty Images
Aerial view of people gathering outside the Jet Set nightclub (R) after the collapse of its roof, in Santo Domingo, on April 8, 2025.
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The roof collapsed early Tuesday at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Prensa Servicio 911/AFP via Getty Images
Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Rescuers can be seen carrying a victim on a stretcher at the site of the collapsed Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 8, 2025.
REUTERS
Meanwhile, Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi, was among the dead, authorities said.
The Post confirmed that former pitcher Dotel, who was originally signed by the New York Mets and later played for the Yankees, was at the club but made it out alive after reports that he was missing.
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His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the group’s saxophonist was among those crushed to death.
“It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner,” he said, adding he initially thought it was an earthquake.
Rubby Pérez was on the stage performing before the roof collapsed.
Pérez was among those pulled alive from the rubble, according to local media.
This picture released by Diario Libre showing people gathering outside the Jet Set nightclub after the collapse of its roof.
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This picture was released by Diario Libre showing people gathering outside the Jet Set nightclub after the collapse of its roof.
Diario Libre/AFP via Getty Images
Rescue crews were still sifting through the debris to find additional survivors, police said.
“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the city’s Center of Emergency Operations.
At one of the many hospitals where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading out the names of survivors as a crowd gathered and desperately screamed out the names of their loved ones.
It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse.
Personnel of Civil Defence and firefighters inspect the Jet Set nightclub after the collapse of its roof, in Santo Domingo, on April 8, 2025.
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President Luis Abinader (not pictured) said that all rescue agencies were “working tirelessly” to help those affected.
AFP via Getty Images
At least 13 people are dead after the roof of a Santo Domingo nightclub collapsed early Tuesday morning, according to local Dominican Republic police.
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“We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the city’s Center of Emergency Operations.
GV of the Jet Set nightclub.
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The Jet Set nightclub seen before the collapse.
Google Maps
President Luis Abinader said that all rescue agencies were “working tirelessly” to help those affected.
“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he wrote on X.
Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó added: “Our city wakes up to a terrible tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. My deepest sympathy goes out to the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.”
In a statement Tuesday, the US embassy in Santo Domingo expressed condolences over the tragedy.
“We stand in solidarity with the families of the victims, the injured and all the Dominican people at this difficult time,” Charge d’Affaires Patricia Aguilera wrote on Facebook.
“We appreciate the tireless efforts of the rescue teams,” she said.
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