Former Nationals Player Killed In Nightclub Roof Collapse

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Former Washington Nationals player Tony Blanco was among at least 124 people killed when the roof of a Dominican Republic nightclub collapsed during a merengue concert. The collapse also claimed the lives of former Major League reliever Octavio Dotel and the sister of former big league slugger Nelson Cruz.

Major League Baseball confirmed that Blanco, Dotel and Nelsy Cruz were killed early Tuesday morning when the roof at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a concert headed by Rubby Pérez.

“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement Tuesday. 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 roof at the popular collapsed around 1 a.m. Tuesday, nearly an hour after the merengue concert began. The club was known for its Monday night merengue parties that drew international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans.

A video posted on social media shows parts of the roof falling and people starting to move away seconds before the entire roof collapses onto them.

Nelsy Cruz alerted Dominican President Luis Abinader to the disaster, calling him from under the debris, according to first lady Raquel Abraje. Officials said Nelsy Cruz later died at a hospital.

As of Wednesday, at least 124 people were confirmed dead and hundreds more were injured.

Blanco, 43, was in the minor leagues from 2000 to 2008, reaching the majors for 56 games in 2005 with the Washington Nationals, according to ESPN. Following his MLB career, he played in Japan and the Dominican Republic.