A tragic fire at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic has resulted in at least one fatality and the evacuation of approximately 1,700 guests. The incident occurred at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in the southeastern resort town of Bayahibe.
Victim Identified
The deceased has been identified as Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian tourist. Three individuals were transported to medical facilities, while six others received on-site treatment. The Dominican Air Force deployed helicopters to assist in combating the flames, which have now been brought under control.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but preliminary assessments by emergency officials suggest that the hotel's palm-thatched roof and windy conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center (COE) stated that tourist activities in Bayahibe and surrounding areas continue safely and without interruption.
COE Director Juan Manuel Mendez noted, "The causes that caused the fire remain under investigation, and it will be the relevant technical commission in charge of establishing them once the emergency and evaluation work on site are completed."
Guest Relocation and Hotel Operations
Guests have been relocated to nearby hotels, including the sister property Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which sustained no damage. The affected hotel, which charges approximately £350 per night, recently underwent renovations and features a large pool adjacent to the beach.
In a communication to partners, the hotel announced the cancellation of all bookings through Sunday. The note added, "We will keep you informed as soon as we have more information or relevant updates regarding the situation and the hotel's operations. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation."
Tourism Impact
The Dominican Republic, the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, welcomed around 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year alone. The fire at the Wyndham property has not disrupted overall tourism in the region.
Metro has contacted Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for comment. For more updates, follow our news coverage.
