Tourist Dies, Nearly 1,700 Evacuated After Resort Fire in Dominican Republic

An Italian tourist, 46, died after a large fire broke out Friday at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in the Bayahibe resort area of the Dominican Republic, according to Reuters. Authorities said nearly 1,700 tourists were evacuated, and so far only one death has been confirmed.

Video from local media and social networks showed thick black smoke rising over the Caribbean shoreline as flames tore through the resort’s thatched roof. The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center, known as COE, said initial findings indicate the fire spread quickly because parts of the roof were made from flammable palm materials and because of windy conditions.

Officials said the blaze was brought under control, but the cause is still under investigation. Evacuated guests were moved to nearby hotels. Another property in the same chain, the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, was not damaged. The emergency center said tourism in Bayahibe and the surrounding area has not been affected and continues safely and normally.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which holds the franchise for about 8,400 hotels worldwide, said it was saddened by the guest’s death and sent condolences to her family. The company stressed that the damaged hotel is independently owned and operated, and said it has been closed and will remain shut until further notice. The Dominican Republic, a major Caribbean tourist destination, received about 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of the year.