The Dominican Republic was shaken by a devastating tragedy on Monday night as a roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo led to the deaths of more than 90 individuals, including two former professional baseball players, Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. This incident is being described as a mass casualty event, with local authorities reporting at least 58 fatalities and over 160 injuries as rescue efforts continued into the early hours.

Initial reports indicate that Octavio Dotel, who was among those trapped in the rubble, was alive when rescue crews located him alongside at least seven others. However, despite being rushed to a local hospital for urgent medical attention, Dotel was pronounced dead upon arrival, succumbing to the serious injuries he sustained during the collapse.

Details regarding Tony Blanco's passing remain scarce, but his death was confirmed through a statement issued by Major League Baseball (MLB) on Tuesday night, highlighting the somber impact of the tragedy on the baseball community.

Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last nights tragedy in Santo Domingo, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed in an emotional statement. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.

In the wake of this tragedy, several MLB teams have expressed their condolences, including the Houston Astros, one of the 13 teams Dotel represented throughout his extensive 15-year career in Major League Baseball. The Astros released a heartfelt statement on Tuesday afternoon, expressing their sorrow over the news of Dotel's death. We are heartbroken to learn the tragic news that former Astros pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals that passed away when a roof collapsed in his native Dominican Republic last night, the statement read.

Dotel played a significant role for the Astros during his five seasons with the team from 2000 to 2004. Known for his exceptional skills as a reliever, he was part of a formidable bullpen alongside Hall of Famer Billy Wagner and All-Star Brad Lidge. In fact, Dotel led the club with an impressive 159 game appearances between 2002 and 2003, boasting a stellar 2.15 ERA during that period.

Prior to the start of Tuesdays home game, the New York Mets held a moment of silence in memory of Dotel, sharing their condolences with all those impacted by the tragedy. We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic, they stated.

The New York Yankees, with whom Dotel also played, joined in the expressions of grief. The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel and extend our deepest condolences to Octavios family, friends, and loved ones. Our hearts are with all those impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic, the team conveyed.

MLB reporter Mike Rodriguez, who is himself from the Dominican Republic, was among the first to report the news of Dotels rescue. He later confirmed the heartbreaking news of Dotel's death during transport to the hospital. Tragic event: After the authorities saved him alive from the rubble of the nightclub, former MLB player and World Series champion Octavio Dotel has been declared dead at the hospital. A great human being and lovely person, much strength to his family. We, your friends, will miss you very much, Rodriguez remarked on Tuesday afternoon.

As the investigation into the cause of the roof collapse unfolds, Dotel, who was 51 years old and a native of Santo Domingo, is remembered for his remarkable baseball career. He played for 13 different teams between 1999 and 2013, finishing with a career record of 59 wins and 50 losses, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.78, and 109 saves over 758 games, which included 34 starts. Dotel also celebrated a significant achievement as a World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

Tony Blanco, 43, had a brief but notable presence in the majors, appearing in 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2005, his only season in Major League Baseball. The news of their untimely deaths has left the sports community in mourning, with condolences pouring in from fans and players alike.