A devastating fire at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic has resulted in the death of an Italian tourist and the evacuation of nearly 1,700 people. The blaze erupted on Friday at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, a popular destination on the country's southeastern coast.
Victim Identified
Authorities have identified the deceased as Francesca Valentino, 46, from Italy. Around 1,690 tourists were evacuated from the resort to other hotels and nearby housing facilities due to the massive fire.
Fire Spread Rapidly
The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Centre reported that the fire spread quickly due to strong winds and the thatch roofing used on parts of the resort. The blaze has since been brought under control.
Nearby Resort Unaffected
The nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace resort was not damaged and continued normal operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. For updates, follow reliable news sources.
