Around 370 rescue personnel searched through piles of debris, including fallen bricks, steel bars, and tin sheets, in a desperate bid to find survivors. Among the victims was 51-year-old retired Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel, who had won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
Although he was initially rescued, Dotel died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital, according to local media reports.
Before Tuesday’s game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins, a black-and-white photo of Dotel and images of the Dominican flag were projected onto the scoreboard at Citi Field in New York as a tribute. The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League shared their condolences on social media, writing, “Peace to his soul.”
Local media reported that between 500 and 1,000 people were at the club when disaster struck at approximately 12:44 am (0444 GMT) on Tuesday. The club’s capacity is 700 seated and around 1,000 standing. Dozens of ambulances rushed the injured to hospitals as crowds gathered outside the venue, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
Eyewitnesses said Perez, who was on stage when a blackout occurred, was caught when the roof collapsed. His daughter, Zulinka, managed to escape but reported that her father did not survive.
Also confirmed dead was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the Monte Cristi municipality, as announced by President Luis Abinader.
The president visited the site and declared three days of national mourning.
