Crime

The huge fire killed one woman and forced nearly 1,700 guests to be evacuated on Friday. A massive fire tore through the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic on Friday morning, killing a 46-year-old Italian tourist and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests. The victim was identified as Francesca Valentino, an Italian national. Three people were taken to medical facilities and six others were treated on site. Those affected included guests, visitors and emergency responders. Drone footage showed thick black smoke billowing high above the Caribbean coastline as flames engulfed several buildings across the resort complex. Investigators believe the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of thatched palm roofs across the property, with strong winds accelerating the blaze. Guests were relocated to nearby hotels. The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain located nearby, sustained no damage. Dominican authorities confirmed that tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most popular tourist destination, receiving 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of 2026 alone.

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