Fatal Fire at Dominican Republic Luxury Resort
A large fire erupted at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday, resulting in the death of one woman and the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests.
The deceased was identified as a 46-year-old Italian tourist, according to a statement from the DAEH emergency services released to local media. Additionally, three individuals were transported to medical facilities, and six others received treatment on site.
Drone footage captured the extensive scale of the blaze, showing multiple buildings engulfed in flames at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort located in Bayahibe, with thick black smoke rising prominently into the sky.
Investigation and Fire Response
The cause of the fire, which began in the early morning hours, remains unknown. However, initial investigations indicate that the flames spread rapidly due to wind conditions and the presence of flammable thatched roofs on certain buildings.
The Emergency Operations Center (COE) of the country reported that the fire has been brought under control and that all guests have been relocated to other hotels. The COE also confirmed that tourism activities in Bayahibe and its surrounding areas have not been impacted by the incident.
Support for Affected Tourists
Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met with the husband of the deceased woman at a hospital. The Italian embassy is providing assistance to approximately 285 Italian tourists who were staying at the resort or nearby. This support includes issuing emergency passports to those whose travel documents were destroyed in the fire and organizing flights for their return home.
About Bayahibe and Wyndham Hotels
Bayahibe is a well-known resort town on the Caribbean coast, famous for its clear blue waters and sandy beaches.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which franchises around 8,400 hotels worldwide, issued a brief statement to the BBC regarding the incident. The company confirmed that hotel teams successfully evacuated guests and staff but acknowledged the death of one guest.
"We send our thoughts to the family while we await autopsy results to determine the cause,"
the statement said.
Wyndham also noted that the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, remains closed and will stay so until further notice.
