A tragic fire at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic has claimed at least one life and forced the evacuation of 1,700 guests. The blaze engulfed 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 national. Three individuals were transported to medical facilities, while six others received on-site treatment. The Dominican Air Force deployed helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts.
Fire Brought Under Control
The inferno has been contained. Preliminary investigations suggest that the hotel's palm-thatched roof and windy conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The exact cause remains under investigation.
Guest Relocation
Evacuated guests have been moved to nearby hotels, including the sister property Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which sustained no damage. The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that tourist activities in Bayahibe and surrounding areas continue unaffected.
COE Director Juan Manuel Mendez stated: "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."
Resort Details
The Wyndham Beach resort, with room rates around £350 per night, recently underwent renovations and features a large pool near the beach. In a letter to partners, the hotel announced the cancellation of all bookings up to and including Sunday, adding: "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, a top Caribbean destination, welcomed approximately 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year. The fire has not disrupted overall tourism in the region.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has been contacted for comment.
