A large fire erupted early on Friday at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, claiming the life of a 46‑year‑old Italian tourist. The blaze spread rapidly, driven by strong winds and the use of thatched roofs on some buildings.
Authorities reported that nearly 1,700 guests were evacuated, and around 1,200 were relocated to other hotels in the area. Six people received treatment on site, and three were taken to hospitals for further care.
The exact cause of the early‑morning blaze remains unclear; initial investigations point to the combination of wind conditions and flammable roofing materials. The country’s Emergency Operations Center confirmed that the fire has been brought under control.
The Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met with the deceased tourist’s husband at the hospital. The embassy is assisting around 285 Italian visitors by issuing emergency passports for those whose travel documents were destroyed in the fire and arranging flights back home.
Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area were reported as unaffected by the incident, according to local officials.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which franchises roughly 8,400 hotels worldwide, has been contacted for comment on the incident.
