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Investigation continues into fatal hotel fire in Dominican Republic; origin unknown
🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

Investigation continues into fatal hotel fire in Dominican Republic; origin unknown

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in the Dominican Republic that resulted in one fatality.
  • The fire, which spread rapidly through the hotel's thatched areas, was extinguished, but the origin remains unknown.
  • The hotel expressed condolences for the victim, an Italian guest, and thanked emergency services and allied hotels for their response and assistance to evacuated guests.

Authorities are investigating the cause of a significant fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in the Dominican Republic's eastern region, which tragically claimed the life of one guest. The fire, whose origin is currently unknown, spread with alarming speed through the common areas of the hotel, which were largely covered by traditional thatched roofs.

The causes of the fire remain under investigation and will be determined by a technical commission.

— Hotel ManagementRegarding the ongoing investigation into the hotel fire.

The hotel, located in the popular coastal town of Bayahibe, was accommodating 1,690 guests when the blaze broke out. Francesca Valentino, an Italian tourist, died from smoke inhalation while receiving medical attention at a hospital. The hotel management extended its "deepest regrets" and "most sincere condolences" to her family, stating that the exact cause of death would be determined after an autopsy.

We deeply regret the passing and extend our most sincere condolences to the victim's family.

— Viva Resorts by WyndhamExpressing sympathy following the death of a guest.

In response to the emergency, a large-scale operation involving 475 emergency responders, 22 fire trucks, eight water tankers, two helicopters, and ten ambulances was mobilized. The hotel's executive vice president of Sales and Marketing, Amanda Santana, expressed gratitude for the swift actions of the fire department, the Emergency Operations Center (COE), the Ministry of Tourism, and allied hotels that offered shelter to displaced guests.

The causes of death will be determined by the authorities once the corresponding autopsy is concluded.

— Hotel ManagementRegarding the official determination of the cause of the guest's death.

Ten individuals, including guests, visitors, and emergency personnel, received medical attention for smoke inhalation and other related issues. The affected guests have been relocated to alternative properties, including the neighboring Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace and other hotels in the Bayahibe and Miches areas.

We are deeply grateful to the Fire Department, the COE, and all the authorities who acted with the speed this situation required. We also thank the Ministry of Tourism, the La Romana–Bayahíbe Tourism Cluster, the Italian ambassador Sergio Maffettone, and the allied hotels that opened their doors to our guests with solidarity.

— Amanda SantanaVice President of Sales and Marketing for Viva Resorts by Wyndham, thanking those involved in the emergency response.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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