Former major league pitcher Octavio Dotel was among 160 people injured in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday, when the roof of an iconic nightclub collapsed.
At least 44 people were killed, including Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi and sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.
The collapse occurred around 1 a.m. during a merengue concert, which drew athletes, politicians and others. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse.
Dotel, who logged 36 saves for the Houston Astros and the Athletics in 2004, was pulled from the rubble about six hours later.
Dotel, 51, started his major league career in 1999 with the Mets. In 2011, he helped the St. Louis Cardinals win a World Series. During his 15 years in the majors, Dotel recorded 109 saves and logged a 3.78 ERA.
Crews continue to search for potential survivors in the rubble of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo.
"We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under the rubble," said Juan Manual Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
