Fatal Fire at Dominican Luxury Resort

A deadly fire erupted at a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday, claiming one life and injuring several others, according to local authorities. The blaze started around 11 a.m. at the four-star Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, located in La Altagracia province. Bayahibe is a sought-after spot for tourists from the U.S. and around the globe, situated on the island’s southeastern coast.

In a Friday evening press briefing, Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center, confirmed the death at the scene and stated that at least nine others suffered injuries. Among the injured, three were sent to nearby hospitals, while six received treatment at the site. Earlier that day, an emergency official from neighboring La Romana province informed CBS News that the deceased was an Italian woman.

Cellphone footage displayed thatched-roof structures at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach engulfed in flames. The fire spread swiftly across the beachfront property, with onlookers in the ocean close to the blaze. Smoke and flames filled the air as firefighters from La Romana arrived to assist local teams, who faced challenges in controlling the fire.

The Emergency Operations Center reported that all 1,690 guests at the resort were evacuated to various hotels and nearby accommodations. The neighboring Dominicus Palace resort by Viva Wyndham remained undamaged and fully operational. Initial findings by the Emergency Operations Center indicated that the fire’s rapid spread was due partly to the resort’s cane-made roof, a flammable material, with windy conditions worsening the situation. The fire’s origin is still under investigation.

A Viva Resorts by Wyndham spokesperson informed CBS News that they are actively collecting information about the incident and working with authorities and on-site teams. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, further comments are currently withheld.