Tourist Dies, Nearly 1,700 Evacuated After Resort Fire in Dominican Republic
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, killed a 46-year-old Italian tourist and forced the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests. Officials said the blaze was contained and tourism in the area continues normally while the cause is investigated.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 46-year-old Italian tourist died in a Friday fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel.
- Nearly 1,700 tourists were evacuated to nearby hotels.
- Officials said the fire spread quickly because of flammable roof materials and windy conditions.
- The blaze is under investigation, and the hotel remains closed until further notice.
- Authorities said tourism in Bayahibe was not disrupted.
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.
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