A major fire broke out at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, on Friday, claiming the life of one tourist and forcing the evacuation of nearly 1,700 guests.

According to DAEH emergency services, the victim was a 46-year-old Italian tourist. Three individuals were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while six others received medical assistance at the resort. At the time of the incident, the property was operating at 84 per cent occupancy.

Drone footage from the scene showed flames spreading across multiple buildings within the beachfront resort, with thick black smoke rising into the sky. Emergency teams responded quickly and worked to bring the situation under control.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. However, preliminary findings indicate that strong winds and the presence of flammable thatched roofs on some of the resort buildings may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) confirmed that the fire was successfully contained and that all guests were relocated to other hotels. Officials also stated that tourism activities in Bayahibe and nearby areas were not affected by the incident.

Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met the victim's husband at the hospital. The Italian embassy is assisting approximately 285 Italian tourists who were staying at the resort or nearby properties. Support measures include issuing emergency passports to travellers whose documents were lost in the fire and arranging return flights where required.

Bayahibe is a popular Caribbean resort destination known for its beaches and clear waters, attracting visitors from around the world throughout the year.

In a statement, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said that hotel teams safely evacuated guests and staff during the emergency. The company confirmed the death of one guest and stated, "We send our thoughts to the family while we await autopsy results to determine the cause."

The hotel, which is independently owned and operated under the Wyndham brand, has been temporarily closed and will remain shut until further notice as investigations continue.