Viva Resorts, a well-known resort chain, has released a statement in response to the tragic incident involving a tourist’s death at a hotel in the Dominican Republic last weekend.
The fire occurred at Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham located in Bayahibe on the southeast coast of the Caribbean nation during the early hours of Friday. This resort is a popular destination for both US and international tourists.
Sadly, an Italian tourist, identified as Francesca Valentino, aged 46, lost her life in the fire, and around 1,700 tourists were evacuated as a large fire swept through the resort. The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Centre reported that the fire spread quickly, likely exacerbated by strong winds and the resort’s partially thatched roof. The situation has now been contained, with an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.
Local media shared videos showing thick smoke and flames engulfing the resort’s coastline.
Viva Resorts issued a statement following the incident at the independently owned Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel. In a Facebook post, a spokesperson expressed condolences for the loss of the guest and assured that all other guests and staff were safely evacuated. The hotel is currently closed and will remain so until further notice. For any inquiries, guests can reach out at +1 877 997 1877.
The Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, welcoming nearly 11.7 million international visitors in 2025, as reported by the tourism ministry.
