A woman was killed and nearly 1,700 tourists were evacuated after a large fire broke out at a beach resort in the Dominican Republic, according to local authorities. The blaze hit the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, a popular Caribbean destination known for its clear water and white sand beaches.
What investigators know so far
Emergency officials said the victim was Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman. The DAEH emergency service said three people were taken to medical facilities and six others were treated on site, with guests, visitors, and emergency responders among those affected.
Videos shared by local media showed thick smoke rising over the coastline as flames spread through the resort’s straw roof. The country’s Emergency Operations Center said preliminary observations suggest the fire moved quickly because parts of the roof were made of palm and wind conditions helped the flames spread.
Evacuation and response
The fire was brought under control, but officials said the cause was still under investigation. Guests were moved to nearby hotels, while the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which is part of the same chain, did not suffer damage.
COE said tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue safely as normal. The Dominican Republic, which is the Caribbean’s top tourist destination, received about 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which franchises about 8,400 hotels worldwide, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
