An Italian woman has died and almost 1,700 tourists have been evacuated after a large fire tore throughViva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in the Dominican Republic on Friday

The resort chain Viva Resorts has issued a statement following the death of a tourist at a Dominican Republic hotel over the weekend.

The blaze broke out at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, on the Caribbean country’s south-east coast, in the early hours of Friday. The resort is a popular destination for US and international tourists.

An Italian tourist, now identified as Francesca Valentino, 46,has died and almost 1,700 tourists have been evacuated after a large fire tore through the resort. The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Centre said the fire appeared to have “spread rapidly” due to strong winds and the resort’s partially thatched roof. The blaze has since been brought under control, and an investigation into its cause is ongoing.

Videos shared by local media showed thick smoke billowing over the coastline as flames engulfed the resort.

The resort chain Viva Resorts put out a statement following the fire at the independently owned and operated Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel. In a post on Facebook a spokesperson said: ” Viva Dominicus Beach Hotel experienced a fire yesterday. The Emergency Operations Centre (COE) in conjunction with various regional fire departments. contained the fire. We are saddened that a guest perished and we sent our thoughts to the family, while we await autopsy results to determine the cause.

“All other guests and staff were safely evacuated. At this time the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, is closed and will remain so until further notice. Should any current or future guests have any inquiries please contact +1 877 997 1877.”

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s most visited tourist destination, attracting almost 11.7 million international visitors in 2025, according to the tourism ministry.