A devastating fire broke out at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe on Friday morning, killing a 46‑year‑old Italian tourist and forcing the evacuation of almost 1,700 guests.
Emergency services at the DAEH responded to the blaze, which spread rapidly across the resort’s thatched‑roof buildings, fanned by strong winds. The victim was taken to a hospital; three other people received treatment on site and were sent to nearby medical facilities.
Drone footage released by Reuters shows the breadth of the blaze: smoke billowed from multiple structures and thick black smoke dominated the Caribbean sky above the beach.
The resort’s owner, the independently operated Viva Wyndham Dominicus, confirmed that all guests and staff were safely evacuated and that the hotel would remain closed until further notice.
Local authorities noted that tourist activities in Bayahibe and surrounding areas were largely unaffected. The Italian embassy in the Dominican Republic has been helping around 285 compatriots at the resort, issuing emergency passports and arranging flights home for those whose travel documents were destroyed in the fire.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which owns around 8,400 hotels worldwide, said one guest died while safely evacuating everyone else. The death confirmed the urgency of a thorough investigation; autopsy results are pending.
The blaze has raised concerns over safety procedures at resort properties in the region, especially after the wind‑fueled spread of the flames. The local Emergency Operations Center has urged travelers to avoid the area until the situation is fully resolved.
