The famous Dominican singer of Merengue, Rubby Pérez, and the former Baseball launcher of the Major Leagues Octavio Dotel are among the dead confirmed after the roof collapsed in a Dominican nightclub on Tuesday while Pérez was acting.
At least 124 people have died and hundreds more were injured in the Jet Set night club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Associated Press reported. The search for more people in the rubble is in progress, and the cause of collapse is still unknown.
The official Instagram account of Pérez confirmed his death at a Wednesday morning. He was 69 years old.
“We regret to inform that our dear Rubby Pérez has died,” says the statement. “We are sincerely grateful for all the love, support and solidarity we have received during this difficult time for their family, friends and followers. His musical and human legacy will live forever in our hearts.”
Dotel, 51, played 15 seasons in the MLB for 13 different teams, including a short period with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010. He was a member of the 2011 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.
“Last night a tragedy occurred that has deeply injured the hearts of those of us in Jet Set and all the Dominicans,” said the Jet Set nightclub in an official statement. “The loss of human life has left us in a state of deep pain and dismay … We are collaborating completely and transparently with the authorities to help victims and help clarify what has happened.”
Zulinka Pérez, the musician's daughter, told local journalists on Tuesday morning that his father was found alive in the rubble after collapse.
“He is injured, but they found him singing,” said the young Pérez before the news of his father's death. “He started singing so they could hear it. He has always told me: 'If something happens to me, cover me so that no one takes photos.”
She also shared that she and her husband, both supporting singers for the old Pérez, were inside the club when the roof entered.
“My husband covered me, he threw himself on me, and got caught. He said: 'Get out fast,” he said. “The musicians could leave; the bassist is in critical condition; I think he underwent surgery at the hospital. And one of the saxophone players is dead.”
Rubby Pérez was born Roberto Antonio Pérez Herrera in the city of Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, on March 8, 1956. He began his musical career in 1978 after a car accident ended his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.
In the mid -1980s, Pérez was a member of the pioneer orchestra of the Merengue musician Wilfrido Vargas. It was only in 1987 and had two songs that arrived at the posters lists. Pérez collaborated with the creators of successes throughout his career, including Romeo Santos and Toño Rosario.
The MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, commented on Dotel's death, as well as the death of Tony Blanco, who played a season at the MLB, and the sister of former MLB player Nelson Cruz, Nelsy Cruz.
“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passes of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz and all the victims of the tragedy last night in Santo Domingo,” Manfred said in a statement. “We send our most sincere condolences to the families and friends of all who have already been affected our colleague Nelson and their whole family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic works deeply, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans throughout the game today.”
The Astros of Houston, the old Dotel club from 2000 to 2004, shared a message about Dotel's death and the impact he had on the team.
“We are disconsolate when you know the tragic news that the former pitcher of the Astros Octavio Dotel was one of the various people who died when a roof collapsed in his home Dominican Republic,” the team shared on social networks. “Dotel, 51, spent five seasons (2000-04) of his excellent 15-year-old major leagues with Houston's stars. While in Houston, he was one of the main relief throughout baseball and was an important part of a dominant bullpen that included the Hall of Fame Billy Wagner and the All-Star Lidge.”
Dotel was born Octavio Eduardo Dotel Diaz in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on November 25, 1973. He made his debut in the major leagues with the New York Mets in 1999 and became one of the most prolific Journmen in the history of MLB.
Dotel played for a total of 13 teams in the Major Leagues, the second more of all time behind the pitcher Edwin Jackson, who established the record when he launched for his 14th team in 2019. In addition to his victory in the World Series with the Cardinals, Doft was also part of the Dominican Republic team that took home the title of the 2013 World Baseball Classsel.
