A beach vacation in the Dominican Republic turned deadly on Friday when a massive blaze tore through a popular hotel, killing one guest and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 people. Authorities say Italian tourist Francesca Valentino, said to be in her mid-40s, died in the fire at the Wyndham Viva Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, reports Reuters. Three people were transported to medical centers, while six others were treated at the scene; the injured included guests, visitors, and emergency personnel.
The AP reports that the resort was "almost completely destroyed." Footage shared by local outlets showed thick smoke over the coastline as flames consumed the resort's thatched roofing. Emergency officials said the fire spread quickly, helped by palm-based roof materials and windy conditions, per Reuters. The blaze was eventually contained, and the cause is under investigation. Guests were relocated to nearby hotels. A sister property, the Viva Dominicus Palace, wasn't affected.
The country's Emergency Operations Center stressed that tourist activities in Bayahibe and nearby areas are operating normally. Citing Italian media, the New York Post reports that Valentino, a mom of two and former dancer who now manages a B&B, had been visiting with her husband of 10 years, who claims Bayahibe as his hometown. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which franchises thousands of properties globally, didn't immediately comment. The Dominican Republic remains the Caribbean's leading tourist draw, with 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of 2026.
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