SANTO DOMINGO — A large fire at a beachfront resort in the Dominican Republic killed at least one person and forced the evacuation of about 1,700 guests and staff, authorities said on Friday. The blaze broke out at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort in Bayahibe, a tourist area in La Altagracia province on the country’s southeastern coast.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center said the fire spread rapidly through parts of the resort, and emergency teams evacuated guests to other hotels and nearby facilities. Authorities said an Italian tourist died in the incident, while several other people received medical attention. The exact number of injuries remained unclear.
The fire damaged a large portion of the resort complex, according to officials and emergency responders. The cause of the blaze was under investigation, and authorities said a technical review would be conducted to determine how it started.
The Emergency Operations Center said preliminary information indicated that wind conditions and palm-based roofing materials contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. “The causes that originated the fire remain under investigation,” the agency said in a statement, adding that a technical commission would establish the cause after emergency operations and evaluations were completed.
Emergency services responded with firefighting units and medical teams as smoke spread across the resort area. The Dominican Republic’s emergency agency said evacuated guests were relocated as part of efforts to protect visitors and staff.
The affected property, Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, is located in Bayahibe, a destination visited by domestic and international tourists. Officials said the nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace resort was not damaged and continued operating.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts expressed condolences to the family of the person who died and said the affected hotel would remain closed temporarily, according to a statement reported by Reuters. The company said the property is independently operated.
Local authorities continued reviewing the damage and investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire. Officials said tourism activities in Bayahibe and surrounding areas were continuing, while details about the full extent of the destruction and the official cause of the blaze remained unclear.
