In brief
A massive fire broke out early on Friday at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, the Dominican Republic, claiming the life of a 46‑year‑old Italian tourist. The blaze, flung by wind and fueled by thatched roofs, forced the evacuation of about 1,700 guests and prompted swift emergency response from local authorities. While the fire was brought under control, the resort and surrounding hotels were temporarily closed. The Italian Embassy stepped in to support nationals, issuing emergency passports and arranging return flights for hundreds of tourists.
A gigantic blaze erupted early Friday at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort on the Caribbean coast of Bayahibe, the Dominican Republic. Roughly 1,700 guests were removed from the premises, and a 46‑year‑old Italian tourist was confirmed dead.
The incident was reported by the DAEH emergency services. Two hospital admissions and four on‑site treatments were recorded following the incident, while authorities noted that the blaze erupted in the early morning hours.
Initial investigations found that the fire spread rapidly due to prevailing winds and the presence of thatched roofs that caught fire easily. The exact ignition source remains undetermined.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center confirmed that the fire had been controlled and that guests were relocated to other hotels. It also added that tourist activities around Bayahibe were continuing unhindered.
Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador met the deceased tourist’s husband at the local hospital. The embassy is currently helping about 285 Italian visitors, issuing emergency passports for those whose documents were destroyed in the blaze and arranging repatriation flights.
Bayahibe, a popular resort town noted for its pristine beaches and clear blue waters, was little affected beyond the immediate incident. The Wyndham Hotels & Resorts chain, which manages roughly 8,400 hotels worldwide, has been contacted for comment.
