Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian national, died in the blaze at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel, according to a statement from the Dirección de Servicios de Atención a Emergencias Extrahospitalarias (DAEH), the government agency responsible for prehospital emergency medical services in the Dominican Republic.
Three individuals required hospitalization, and six others received treatment at the site, DAEH mentioned. Those affected included guests, visitors, and emergency personnel.
Footage shared by local news outlets displayed thick smoke rising above the Caribbean shore as flames consumed the resort’s straw roof.
Woman killed, 1,700 evacuated in beach hotel fire in Dominican Republic
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 20, 2026
“Initial assessments suggest that the fire spread swiftly due to the combustible properties of some roof materials made from palm, in addition to wind conditions,” the country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) noted.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which operates around 8,400 hotels globally, has yet to respond to a request for comments.
The fire has been contained, but investigations into its origins are ongoing, according to the operations center. Guests were relocated to nearby hotels, and the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain, remained undamaged.
“Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding areas are continuing safely and normally,” COE added.
Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s leading tourist destination, welcoming around 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year.
