Over 200 dead, including former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, after roof collapses at Dominican Republic nightclub

The death issue continues to rise against the background of continuing efforts to search and rescue after the roof of the Dominican Republic’s nightclub collapsed during a concert.

At least 218 people were killed, Dominican’s authorities said on Thursday, and another 155 were injured in a roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub located in the Santo Domingo capital, according to National Police.

The incident happened at 12:34 Tuesday, during a concert by the singer of the Dominican Merenga, Ruby Perez, according to police. The roof collapsed within seconds, police said.

Specialized technical teams were active at Wednesday, with heavy machines hired to remove debris, employees said.

“We are deeply sorry for the tragedy that happened at the Jet Set nightclub,” said Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader in a social media publication. “We follow the incident minute to a minute since it happened. All help agencies have provided the necessary help and work tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”

The 69 -year -old Perez, a well -known singer in the country, was found dead in the collapsed club, according to the National Police of the Dominican Republic.

A vacation published on his Instagram account said Perez’s music and heritage “will live forever in our hearts.”

The deceased also included the former MLB player Octavio Dotel, 51 years old, according to the Minister of Interior and the Police of the Dominican Republic Farid Rafuf.

Dotel is pulled by the ruins of rescue crews but died in an ambulance while on the way to a hospital, according to Colonel Randolpho Rhoo Gomez, head of emergency services in the country 911.

The Dominican Pitcher played for 13 MLB teams, including The Mets, which took a moment of silence for Dotel before playing on Tuesday.

“We are grieving for the passage of Octavio Dotel,” Mets said in a social media publication. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”

Dotel was part of a combined non-impact against the Yankees in June 2003, a team that he will play three years later.

Another former MLB player, 44-year-old Tony Blanco, was also killed in the roof collapse, according to the Dominican Republic’s Dominican Ministry. The Dominican baseball player plays for nationals in Washington, as well as professionally in Japan and the Dominican Republic.

“His heritage will live in the history of the national baseball,” said a statement by social media. “We share their grief with our family, friends and colleagues and offer our prayers for their eternal vacation.”

Montecrist Governor Nelsey Milagros Cruz Martinez was also one of the killed, according to National Police and Abinader’s office. She was the sister of the former MLB star Nelson Cruz, who shared a statement from the Cruz Martinez family on social media, saying that “the heritage of service and love for others will live forever in our hearts.”

“The baseball of the Basic League is deeply saddened by the pastures of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsey Cruz and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” said MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. in a statement on Tuesday. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all who have been affected, and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic is working deeply and we are thinking of all Dominican and fans players throughout the game.”

Fashion designer Martin Polanko died at the roof collapse, his family confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday. A fashion icon in the Dominican Republic, dressed in Polanko artists, including Dad Yankees and Sergio Vargas, as well as designed for Abinader.

At least one US citizen was among those killed, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to Rubio, who did not specify the permanent residents, according to Rubio, who did not specify how much.

“Our hearts come out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event,” he said in a post on Wednesday. “The United States is ready to support our Dominican allies against this difficult time.”

Many families gathered at the scene, looking for their loved ones, who were inside the club, according to DJ Shakirax, who was in the nightclub and shared videos from the stage on Tuesday.

An investigation into the crash is currently underway, police said.

In 2023, there was a fire that damaged part of the nightclub, authorities said.

ABC News’ Aicha Castano and Morgan Winsor have contributed to the report.