Dominican Republic hotel fire kills Italian tourist, forces evacuation of 1,700
A devastating fire at a beachfront hotel in the Dominican Republic has claimed the life of a 46-year-old Italian woman and forced the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists, authorities reported on Friday.
The blaze broke out at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in the coastal resort of Bayahibe. Francesca Valentino, an Italian national, was killed in the incident, according to the DAEH emergency service.
Three individuals were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while six others received medical care at the scene. The affected individuals included hotel guests, visitors, and emergency responders, officials stated.
Local media footage showed thick black smoke billowing over the Caribbean shoreline as flames consumed the resort's thatched palm roofs. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the flammable nature of the palm roof structures and strong wind conditions.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which franchises approximately 8,400 properties globally, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, but investigations into its cause are ongoing. Guests were relocated to nearby hotels. The adjacent Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain, sustained no damage.
The COE assured that tourist activities in Bayahibe and surrounding areas remain unaffected and continue safely. The Dominican Republic, renowned for its clear waters and white sand beaches, is the Caribbean's most visited destination, having welcomed about 5.6 million tourists in the first five months of this year.
