A fatality has been confirmed as a result of a large fire that devastated a resort in the Dominican Republic, leaving several people with injuries of unknown cause.
Local authorities in Santo Domingo reported that, last Friday, a luxury tourist complex suffered almost total devastation from an extensive fire, leading to the emergency evacuation of approximately 1,700 guests.
As reported by the region’s press, the fatal victim was a tourist of Italian nationality, and other travelers required immediate medical attention as a result of the incident.
The affected development, Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, is located in the coastal city of Bayahibe, a location highly sought after by visitors, both from the United States and other nations, on the southeastern portion of the Dominican coast.
Due to the intensity of the incident, authorities confirmed that around 1,690 visitors were relocated from the main hotel to adjacent hotel establishments and accommodations in the region.
While the investigation into the origins of the fire continues, the country’s Emergency Operations Center indicated that the flames spread quickly, possibly driven by the force of the wind and the straw composition of part of the complex’s roof.
Fortunately, the Dominicus Palace, another Viva Wyndham complex located nearby, did not suffer damage from the incident and maintained its operations in complete normality, according to the center’s report.