At least 79 killed as nightclub roof in Dominican Republic collapses

Santo Domingo: A tragic roof collapse at a renowned nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic resulted in at least 79 deaths, including a provincial governor and former Major League Baseball pitcher, Octavio Dotel, according to authorities on Tuesday.

Around 155 individuals were reported injured, and emergency teams continued to search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as families anxiously gathered at the scene looking for loved ones.

At least 300 people were inside Santo Domingo's Jet Set nightclub during a busy musical performance when the roof collapsed.

Juan Manuel Mendez, the head of the country’s emergency operations center, stated early Tuesday that rescue efforts were still underway, although the exact number of people inside the club when the roof collapsed remained uncertain.

The incident occurred during a concert attended by various politicians, athletes, and other notable figures, Reuters reported.

Among those who died in the collapse was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northern Monte Cristi province, as confirmed by President Luis Abinader. Cruz was the sister of former baseball player Nelson Cruz, a seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star.

Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel also passed away after being pulled from the rubble and transported to a local hospital, as reported by a spokesperson from the nation's sports ministry.

Dotel, 51, made his debut for the New York Mets in 1999 and played until 2013, for over a dozen teams, including the Houston Astros, Oakland A's, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers.

"Thinking about our people in the Dominican Republic," Carlos Mendoza, manager of the Mets, said in a press conference. "We have a lot of the Dominican community in the baseball world,” as reported by the Reuters.

According to government officials, nearly 155 people have been taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention. The cause of the roof collapse is still being investigated.