Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic Kills Dozens, Including Former MLB Stars

Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic Kills Dozens, Including Former MLB Stars - Dozens Killed in Roof Collapse at Dominican Republic Nightclub: Former MLB Players among the Dead

In a harrowing twist, one of the country’s worst recent tragedies unfolded at a popular nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The roof of Jet Set Club, a popular venue for live merengue shows, caved in during a crowded concert on the night of April 8, 2025, killing at least 98 people and injuring more than 160.

The Victims Include Former MLB Players and Music Legends

The dead included two former Major League Baseball players:

1. Octavio Dotel, the former World Series champion and 13-time Major Leaguer over a 15-year career. A Dominican baseball legend, Dotel was known for his fastball and his leadership, both on and off the field.
2. Tony Blanco, who played for the Washington Nationals and went on to carve out a successful career as a power hitter in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league.
3. Along with them was Rubby Pérez, the famed merengue singer, who was on stage performing at the time of the collapse. Pérez, whose powerful singing voice and immortal songs, like “Volveré,” made him a national treasure in the Dominican Republic and throughout Latin America.

What Caused the Collapse?

The Holy See said that authorities were now investigating the cause of the structural failure. Early reports indicate the building was possibly above capacity when the concert started, with nearly 300 inside. Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud crack right before the ceiling fell, sending everyone into a panic.

Engineers are investigating whether shoddy construction materials, insufficient maintenance and possible code violations played a role in the tragedy.

National Mourning and Global Reaction

President Luis Abinader has proclaimed three days of national mourning, calling the incident a “national catastrophe.” Flags are at half-mast across the country, as the nation mourns not just the immense loss of life but also the loss of cultural and athletic icons.

Tributes by the international baseball community have poured in. Teams, players and fans around the MLB are grieving — especially from cities such as St. Louis, Houston and Washington, where Dotel and Blanco forged a lasting impact.

Music fans worldwide are mourning Rubby Pérez, whose songs defined an era of Dominican music and gave joy to millions.

Emergency Relief and Victims’ Assistance

Rescue operations began at once, with firefighters and paramedics laboring through the rubble. Survivors told of lives threatened and harrowing escapes, and many remain hospitalized with critical injuries.

The Dominican Ministry of Health and Emergency Services is working with local hospitals to provide care for survivors, while the nightclub's owners say they are fully cooperating with investigators and will financially assist victims' families.

Demand for Improved Safety Standards and Regulations

This tragedy has once again turned a national eye to building safety standards, especially surrounding entertainment venues. But experts and public officials are now calling for more vigorous enforcement of safety codes, regular inspections and accountability for negligence.

As investigations unfold, the Dominican public is demanding answers — and change — to ensure a disaster like this never again occurs.