Tourist Killed in Massive Caribbean Resort Fire as 1,690 Guests Are Evacuated

A major fire tore through the Dominican Republic resort destination of Bayahibe on Friday, leaving at least one Italian visitor dead and several others injured.

The victim was identified as 46-year-old Italian citizen Francesca Valentino, who died at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel, the Dominican Republic’s Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services (DAEH) said.

DAEH said at least nine additional people received medical attention for injuries, including three who were transported to medical centers outside the resort.

Local officials evacuated 1,690 tourists from the well-known Caribbean resort area, according to The Associated Press.

Drone footage captured thick smoke rising from multiple structures near the shoreline, sending broad gray clouds over the beach and darkening the vivid turquoise water below.

Officials said early findings suggest the flames moved quickly because portions of the roof structures were made from highly flammable palm materials and because of windy conditions, Reuters reported.

Guests were moved to other hotels, such as the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, a nearby hotel run by the same operators as the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel. The Palace did not sustain any damage, according to Reuters.

“Tourist activities ​in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected ​and ⁠continue to take place safely and as normal,” the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) also noted.

Video of the aftermath shows a drone spraying water on a charred and destroyed block of buildings as the structures continue to smolder.

News Agency contacted DAEH, COE and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for additional comment.