Italian Tourist Killed, 1,700 Evacuated as Massive Fire Tears Through Dominican Republic Beach Resort

Bayahibe, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic — June 19, 2026

A dream Caribbean vacation turned into tragedy on Friday when a massive fire swept through the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, killing an Italian tourist and forcing the emergency evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests from one of the region's most popular all-inclusive hotels.

What Happened

The fire broke out at around 11 a.m. at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, a four-star resort in the town of Bayahibe in La Altagracia province — a popular destination for American and international tourists on the southeastern coast of the island.

Fifteen firefighting units battled the blaze at the resort, which has nearly 700 rooms. Dramatic images and video showed thick smoke rising above the property, situated between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.

Cellphone videos captured thatch-roof structures engulfed in fast-spreading flames across the beachside resort.

The Victim

Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman, was killed in the fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel, the DAEH emergency service said in a statement.

An emergency official for the adjacent La Romana province confirmed the person killed was an Italian woman.

The Injured

Juan Manuel Mendez, head of the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center, said at least nine others were injured. Three of the injured patients were transported to area hospitals, and six were treated on scene.

Those affected included guests, visitors and emergency responders.

The Mass Evacuation

The Emergency Operations Center said the approximately 1,690 guests staying at the resort were evacuated to other hotels and nearby housing facilities.

Hotel staff and tourists were evacuated from the building as the fire began to rage, with emergency personnel directing the evacuated guests to designated safe zones nearby, including a local beach.

Why the Fire Spread So Fast

The Emergency Operations Center said a preliminary investigation found that the blaze likely spread quickly because a portion of the resort's roof was made of cane — a more combustible material. Windy conditions also contributed to the spread.

"Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of parts of the roof structures made of palm, as well as wind conditions," the country's Emergency Operations Center (COE) said.

The use of traditional thatch and palm roofing — common in Caribbean beach resort architecture for its authentic aesthetic — has once again raised safety concerns following a major fire, as these materials are known to be highly flammable and capable of spreading flames rapidly across connected structures.

The Resort

The property is operated in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which franchises some 8,400 hotels worldwide, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain located adjacent to the affected property, did not sustain any damage and was operating normally.

The affected beachfront property had recently completed extensive renovations to its common areas and dining facilities.

Tourism Continues

The Emergency Operations Center confirmed the fire was brought under control, though its causes remain under investigation. The COE added: "Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal."

A Region That Depends on Tourism

Bayahibe and the wider La Altagracia province form one of the Dominican Republic's most important tourism corridors, drawing millions of American, European and international visitors annually to its all-inclusive beach resorts.

A fatal fire at a major Wyndham-affiliated property raises serious questions for the resort industry across the Caribbean about fire safety standards in buildings that incorporate traditional thatch and palm roofing for aesthetic appeal — standards that will now face renewed scrutiny following Friday's tragedy.

DeSanta News will continue to follow this story as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.