Dominican Republic beach resort fire photos show devastating impact

Hotel workers move carts through a fire-damaged area of the Viva Dominicus Beach hotel in Bayahibe, La Altagracia province, Dominican Republic, on July 20, 2026, following a fire. An Italian tourist died on June 19 after inhaling smoke from a large fire at a hotel in the resort town of Bayahibe, southeastern Dominican Republic, an official told AFP.

View of damaged structures and debris at the Viva Dominicus Beach hotel premises following a fire in Bayahibe, La Altagracia province, Dominican Republic, on July 20, 2026. An Italian tourist died on June 19 after inhaling smoke from a large fire at a hotel in the resort town of Bayahibe, southeastern Dominican Republic, an official told AFP.

Fire ravaged a popular luxury beach resort Friday, June 19, in the Dominican Republic and killed at least one tourist.

A drone view shows a fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic, June 19, 2026 in this screen grab obtained from social media video.

Satellite image Provided by ©2026 Vantor shows a view of the Viva Wyndam Dominicus beach hotel over a year before the fire, on April 23, 2025.

The large fire at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel in Bayahibe, about 85 miles east of Santo Domingo, led to the evacuation of nearly 1,700 tourists, staff, and contractors at the property, which was operating at close to 84% occupancy at the time, authorities said in a statement.

Three people were taken to ​medical facilities and six others were treated at the scene, ⁠the DAEH emergency ​service said in a statement to Reuters. Those affected included guests, visitors and emergency responders. Hotel guests were transferred to nearby hotels.