Tourist dies as fire rips through Dominican Republic beach resort with 1,700 evacuated

A woman has died after a huge fire broke out at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic, with some 1,700 tourists evacuated to escape the raging inferno

A woman has tragically died after a massive fire engulfed a luxury beach resort. Some 1,700 tourists were evacuated from the Dominican Republic hotel as the fierce blaze raged.

Italian holidaymaker Francesca Valentino, 46, perished when the fire erupted at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe on the country’s southeastern coast on Friday. Three people were rushed to hospital, while six others, encompassing guests, visitors and emergency responders, received treatment at the scene.

Hundreds of tourists were relocated to nearby hotels and alternative lodgings as firefighters strived to control the flames. Harrowing footage circulated by local media depicted thick black smoke billowing across the Caribbean coastline as large portions of the resort, including its thatched roof, were consumed by the fire. the Express.

The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Centre (COE) said preliminary findings suggested the fire spread rapidly because of strong winds and the flammable palm roofing used in parts of the complex.

The fire has since been brought under control, but an investigation into its cause is continuing.

The neighbouring Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace resort was not damaged and remains open, while the COE said tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area are continuing as normal

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s most visited tourist destination, attracting more than 5.6 million visitors during the first five months of this year.

The hotel, situated in what was once a tranquil fishing village, now stands in a thriving tourist hotspot in the Caribbean nation that has managed to preserve much of its peaceful character.

Viva undertook major refurbishments in recent years, transforming communal spaces and dining options while maintaining shared facilities with its sister property, Dominicus Beach. The pair of resorts dominate much of the seafront in Dominicus.

Residents took to social media to suggest the inferno was beyond the capabilities of the first emergency crews on scene, with persistent flames proving difficult to suppress despite firefighters’ efforts.

“Help. The Dominicus hotel, in Bayahibe, is being affected by a fire. Although fire trucks are already on the scene, the magnitude of the blaze exceeds the available equipment and greater support is required with higher-impact units to fully extinguish it,” one user posted on X alongside footage showing thick black smoke billowing from the resort hotel.

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