A girl was killed and practically 1,700 vacationers have been evacuated because of a big fire at a hotel in the Dominican beach resort of Bayahibe, native authorities mentioned on Friday.
Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian girl, was killed in the fire on the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel, the DAEH emergency service mentioned in an announcement.
Three individuals have been taken to medical services and 6 others have been handled on website, DAEH mentioned. Those affected included visitors, guests and emergency responders.
Videos shared by native media confirmed darkish clouds of smoke billowing out above the Caribbean shoreline, as flames engulfed the resort’s straw roof.
“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 nation’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) mentioned.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which franchises some 8,400 accommodations worldwide, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The fire was introduced below management however its causes have been nonetheless being investigated, the operations middle mentioned. Guests have been moved to close by accommodations. The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, a part of the identical chain, didn’t maintain any harm.
“Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal,” COE added.
Famous for its clear water and white sand seashores, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s prime vacationer vacation spot, receiving some 5.6 million guests in the primary 5 months of this 12 months.