A 46-year-old Italian tourist has died and almost 1,700 holidaymakers have been evacuated after a serious fire broke out on Friday at the luxury resort Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic.
Journalist at HLN
The victim died during the fire. Three other tourists were also taken to hospital. Six others, including hotel guests, visitors and emergency workers, were treated on site.
Images circulated by local media showed thick clouds of black smoke above the resort and showed how the flames consumed large parts of it.
Hundreds of tourists were moved to nearby hotels and other accommodations. According to the Center for Emergency Operations (COE), initial findings indicate that the fire was able to spread quickly due to strong winds and flammable palm fronds covering parts of the roofs.
The fire is now under control, but the cause is still under investigation. The adjacent Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace resort was not damaged and remains open. According to authorities, tourism activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding region are proceeding as normal.