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.

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of two new resort properties in Maharashtra – Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon and Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri. With these additions, the hospitality company will expand its presence in the state to 32 properties, comprising 15 operational hotels and 17 properties in the pipeline, including the newly signed resorts.

Both properties will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. The latest signings reflect the group's continued focus on emerging leisure destinations that are becoming popular drive-to getaways for travellers from major cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.

Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon will feature 110 well-appointed rooms designed to offer a comfortable stay for guests. The resort will include a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference facilities, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. Positioned approximately 75 km from Navi Mumbai International Airport and 100 km from Mumbai Central Railway Station, the property is expected to cater to both leisure travellers and events-led gatherings.

Meanwhile, Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri will offer 90 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference spaces, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. The resort is located around 134 km from Mumbai International Airport and 5.6 km from Igatpuri Railway Station, providing convenient access for visitors seeking a getaway in the region.

Commenting on the signing, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., said, "Our expansion strategy with resorts in Tadgaon and Igatpuri in Maharashtra is deeply aligned with the evolving dynamics of the drive-to hospitality sector. Urban travellers and corporate houses are increasingly prioritizing accessible, high-amenity destinations that don't require complex logistics. By introducing the Lemon Tree Resort brand to these two distinct, premium micro-markets, we are uniquely positioned to capture a highly lucrative mix of weekend leisure, multi-generational travel, and mid-to-high-level corporate retreats."

According to the company, the addition of these two resorts further strengthens Lemon Tree Hotels' presence in Western India while expanding its portfolio of premium regional resorts designed to meet the growing demand from both leisure and corporate travellers.

Jigger, India’s first Ready-to-Serve (RTS) shots brand, has announced the launch of Spiced Tamarind, introducing what it describes as India’s first sweet-sour spirit. The product will be available from June 2026 across Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Goa, with plans for expansion into additional markets.

The launch marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has spent over three years developing the product. Inspired by India’s long-standing love for tamarind-based flavours found in street food, chutneys, and traditional treats, the company sought to recreate the familiar sweet-sour balance in a full-strength alcoholic beverage.

According to Jigger, achieving the desired flavour profile required extensive research involving distillers, food chemists, and flavour experts from India, Canada, and the United States. The development process also included studying tamarind’s use in cocktails and beverages in Thailand, where the ingredient has long been incorporated into mixology.

The new Spiced Tamarind variant features a flavour profile built around bright tamarind notes, natural sweetness, and subtle savoury spice. It is offered at 37.5% ABV and is available in both a 60ml double-serve format and a 750ml celebration bottle.

Speaking about the launch, Anubhav Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Jigger, said the inspiration came from everyday Indian food culture and nostalgic childhood flavours. He noted that recreating tamarind’s characteristic sweet-sour balance in a spirit was a complex challenge that required years of experimentation and refinement.

Founded in 2023 by Madira Ventures, Jigger has positioned itself around transforming familiar Indian flavours into ready-to-serve spirits. Its portfolio already includes variants such as Meetha Paan, Coffee Toffee, and Litchi Rose.

With Spiced Tamarind, the company continues its focus on celebrating Indian taste profiles while expanding the possibilities within the country’s growing alcobev industry.