Dominican Authorities Aid Tourists After Massive Resort Fire Destroys Hotel

Dominican authorities are coordinating efforts to help nearly 1,700 foreign tourists return home after a devastating fire engulfed the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe on June 20. The blaze, which occurred on the popular southeastern coast, forced a mass evacuation and tragically resulted in the death of an Italian tourist.

Amanda Santana, a hotel executive, stated that many guests lost essential identity documents, including their passports, in the fire. "We have been coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate the entry of those guests," Santana said. Hotel management is collaborating with the police to expedite the online filing of necessary reports for affected guests. Tourists have been relocated to other hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe while arrangements are made for their departure.

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Unfortunately, they lost their identity documents, including their passports. We have been coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate the entry of those guests.

General Manuel Méndez, director of the country's Emergency Operations Center, confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the Italian woman's death is ongoing. He also noted that tourism activities in the Bayahibe area are continuing normally. At the time of the fire, the resort was operating at 84% occupancy, indicating a significant number of guests were present when the incident occurred.

The Emergency Operations Center suggested that the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds and the resort's roof, which was partially constructed with thatch. The National 911 Emergency System is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

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fire spread rapidly due to wind and because part of the resort’s roof was made of thatch