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A minimum of one holidaymaker has died in a hearth which engulfed a preferred hotel within the Dominican Republic.
Some 1,700 guests were evacuated from the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel within the southeastern resort of Bayahibe.
Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian, was killed within the blaze.
Three people were taken to medical centres, while one other six were treated on site.
Helicopters brought in by the country’s air force also helped tackle the fireplace.
The inferno has been brought under control.
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The reason behind the blaze is unknown, but preliminary findings from emergency officials pointed to the flammable nature of the hotel’s palm roof and windy conditions as catalysts for the rapid spread of the fireplace.
Guests have since been relocated to nearby hotels, including sister hotel Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which didn’t suffer any damage.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) said: ”Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the encircling area remain unaffected and proceed to happen safely and as normal.’
Director Juan Manuel Mendez added: ‘The causes that caused the fireplace remain under investigation, and it’ll be the relevant technical commission accountable for establishing them once the emergency and evaluation work on site are accomplished.’
The most well-liked tourist destination within the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic received some 5.6 million visitors in the primary five months of this 12 months alone.
Wyndham Beach, which charges £350-a-night has recently undergone renovation and boasts a big pool near the sand.
In a letter to partners, the hotel said it had cancelled all bookings as much as and including Sunday.
‘We’ll keep you informed as soon as now we have more information or relevant updates regarding the situation and the hotel’s operations’, the note added.
‘Thanks upfront to your understanding and cooperation.’
Metro has contacted Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for comment.
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