Italian Tourist Dies, 1,700 Evacuated From Dominican Republic Resort Fire
A large fire at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic claimed the life of an Italian tourist and necessitated the evacuation of almost 1,700 guests on Friday morning.
Emergency services confirmed the deceased as a 46-year-old Italian woman. Three individuals were hospitalised, and six others received on-site treatment following the incident at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe.
Drone footage illustrated the extensive damage, with numerous resort buildings ablaze and dense black smoke ascending. Although the precise cause of the early-morning fire remains under investigation, preliminary findings suggest that strong winds and the combustible thatched roofs present on some structures contributed to its rapid spread.
The country's Emergency Operations Centre announced the fire had been brought under control and all displaced guests were relocated to alternative accommodation. Officials stated that local tourism activities remain unaffected.
The Italian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic reportedly met with the deceased woman's husband. The embassy is assisting approximately 285 Italian tourists, issuing emergency travel documents to those whose originals were destroyed and facilitating return flights.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which franchises the independently owned and operated resort, confirmed the fatality and the safe evacuation of other guests and staff. The hotel is now closed indefinitely as investigations continue to ascertain the cause of death and the fire's origin.
