A 46-year-old Italian tourist has died after a major fire tore through a beachfront hotel in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests and staff.
Francesca Valentino was killed in the blaze at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, a popular resort town on the country's Caribbean coast, emergency officials said.
Three people were taken to hospital, while six others received treatment at the scene. Those affected included hotel guests, visitors and emergency responders.
Videos shared by local media showed thick black smoke rising above the coastline as flames engulfed parts of the resort's palm-thatched roof.
According to the country's Emergency Operations Center (COE), the fire spread quickly because of the highly flammable roofing materials and strong winds.
"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 agency said.
Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, but investigators are still working to determine what caused it.
Authorities said all guests were safely evacuated and relocated to nearby accommodation. The neighbouring Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which belongs to the same hotel group, was not damaged.
Officials sought to reassure visitors that the incident had not affected tourism in the area.
"Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal," the COE said.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which franchises some 8,400 hotels worldwide, said in a statement that it was saddened by the guest's death and sent its thoughts to her family.
The company added that the independently owned and operated hotel was closed and would remain so until further notice.
The Dominican Republic remains the Caribbean's most visited tourist destination, attracting around 5.6 million visitors during the first five months of this year alone.
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