Deadly fire engulfs hotel in the Dominican Republic

A massive, fast-moving fire severely damaged the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel, a luxury all-inclusive resort located in the popular southeastern coastal town of Bayahíbe, Dominican Republic.

The incident resulted in one confirmed fatality and triggered a chaotic mass evacuation of nearly 1,700 international tourists.

The Dominican emergency service reported that three individuals were hospitalized, and six others—including hotel guests and emergency responders—were treated on-site for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

Large portions of the luxury resort’s roofing were made of traditional palm-thatched straw, which ignited instantly. Strong coastal winds heavily fueled the flames, pushing the fire rapidly across adjacent structures. The resort, which was operating at 84% occupancy at the time, has been heavily destroyed and will remain closed until further notice.