SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 20 (Our Florida Times) — A fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, killed one Italian tourist, injured at least nine other people and forced the evacuation of 1,690 guests, authorities said Friday.
The Dominican Republic Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services identified the person who died as Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian national. Emergency crews treated at least nine other people for injuries, and three were taken to off-site medical facilities, the agency said.
The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Center said the blaze was contained and that guests were moved to alternative accommodations. The agency said tourism activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area were not disrupted.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said its hotel teams evacuated guests and staff and that the hotel would remain closed until further notice. The company said the property operates independently.
Preliminary observations cited by authorities said the fire spread rapidly because of wind and the combustible palm-and-thatch roof structures at the resort. Nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace was not damaged and was operating normally, according to the Emergency Operations Center.
Bayahibe is a coastal tourism destination on the Dominican Republic’s southeastern shore, and the fire was a major disruption for travelers staying in the area, even as authorities said the wider destination remained open.
