Merengue singer Rubby Pérez had just taken the stage when the structure gave way. His manager later confirmed that Pérez was among the victims who did not survive. The death toll, now approaching triple digits, continues to rise as emergency crews work through the wreckage.
Among those killed were two former Major League Baseball players. Octavio Dotel, 51, known for playing with a record 13 MLB teams and helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the 2011 World Series, was pulled from the debris but succumbed to his injuries. The Dominican Republic’s Professional Baseball League confirmed his passing, noting that he was beloved by fans and teammates alike.
