SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 20 (Our Florida Times) — Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, kept its tourism operations open Friday after a fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel killed one tourist and forced the evacuation of 1,690 guests, authorities said.
The Dominican Republic Directorate of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Services identified the dead tourist as Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian national. The agency said at least nine other people were treated for injuries, and three were taken to off-site medical facilities.
The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Center said the fire was contained and that guests were moved to alternative accommodations. It said tourism activity in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remained unaffected.
Authorities said preliminary observations pointed to wind and the combustible nature of palm roof structures as factors in the fire’s rapid spread. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said its hotel teams evacuated guests and staff and that the property would remain closed until further notice. The company also said the hotel operates independently.
The nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace was not damaged and was operating normally, according to the Emergency Operations Center.
