A massive fire destroyed much of the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, on Friday, killing a 46-year-old Italian woman and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists, authorities said. The Emergency Operations Center attributed the rapid spread to wind and a thatched roof while confirming that 1,374 guests were relocated to other hotels and housing as 15 firefighting units responded. The neighboring Dominicus Palace resort remained operational and unaffected, according to official statements.
Local authorities confirmed the fatality and noted that several tourists required medical assistance following the incident, ABC News reported. The Foreign Ministry indicated that the total number of injuries was still being determined as of Saturday. The resort, located in a popular tourist area on the southeastern coast between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, caters primarily to international visitors from the United States, Canada and Europe.
According to the Associated Press, the fire broke out on Friday and quickly engulfed large portions of the property, forcing guests to seek safety on the beach and in designated areas. Dramatic video footage shared on social media depicted flames and heavy smoke billowing from the structures. Emergency responders worked through the night to bring the fire under control, though the full extent of the damage has yet to be assessed in detail.
The Dominican Republic has seen its tourism numbers climb steadily, receiving a record 11.6 million international visitors in 2025, a figure that rose 4.3 percent from the previous year, according to the Dominican Republic Hotels and Tourism Association. That growth has helped cement the country’s status as the top destination in the Caribbean, capturing about 12 percent of regional tourist flows. Bayahibe in particular has benefited from this boom as a hub for beach and eco-tourism activities.
A July 2025 report from the World Travel and Tourism Council projected the industry’s total contribution to the Dominican economy would exceed 21 billion dollars by the end of that year, representing 15.8 percent of GDP with expected annual growth of 3.3 percent. International tourism spending was anticipated to hit 11.4 billion dollars while domestic spending added another 4.1 billion. Such figures illustrate the sector’s critical role, especially in areas like La Altagracia province where the affected resort is situated.
In its statement, the Emergency Operations Center said it appeared the fire spread rapidly due to wind and because part of the resort’s roof was made of thatch. The center also confirmed that the nearby Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace sustained no damage and continued normal operations. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which partners on the management of the properties, had not issued a detailed public response as of the latest updates.
