Fire at Dominican Republic Resort Claims Life, Injures Several

A tragic fire occurred at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, resulting in the death of an Italian tourist and injuries to several others. The incident unfolded on Friday, as reported by local authorities.

The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Francesca Valentino of Italy. At least nine individuals received treatment for injuries, with three transferred to off-site medical facilities, according to the Dominican Republic’s Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH).

Following the outbreak of the fire, authorities evacuated 1,690 tourists from the resort town. Aerial footage revealed thick smoke emerging from various beachfront structures, casting shadows on the coastal waters below.

“Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to parts of the roof structures being made of flammable palm and the influence of wind conditions,” stated the authorities.

Guests at the affected Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel were relocated to other accommodations, such as the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which fortunately did not experience any damage.

The country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that tourist activities in Bayahibe and nearby areas remain uninterrupted and are proceeding normally.

In the aftermath, drone footage displayed efforts to douse smoldering ruins, aiming to put out remaining fires. Fox News Digital reached out to DAEH, COE, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for further remarks on the situation.