Huge hotel fire leaves tourists stranded as passports burn to ash | World | News

Guests at a luxury hotel devastated by a fire in the Dominican Republic have been left in limbo after a catastrophic blaze reduced their passports and vital travel documents to cinders.

For the nearly 1,700 guests evacuated last week from the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, the ordeal appears far from over following Friday’s shocking inferno that claimed the life of one holidaymaker.

Hotel staff at the stricken resort are now scrambling to assist stranded guests in the aftermath of the blaze. Hotel executive Amanda Santana told the Daily Mail: “Unfortunately, they lost their identity documents, including their passports. We have been coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate the entry of those guests.”

Staff are now working alongside police and local authorities to support those affected and secure the essential paperwork required for stranded guests to return home.

It remains unclear precisely how many amongst the 1,700-or-so evacuees lost travel documents or personal belongings in the fire.

Emergency services were dispatched to the independently owned and operated Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel last Friday after reports emerged of an outbreak of fire. Italian holidaymaker and reality TV star Francesca Valentino, 46, tragically lost her life, while three others were hospitalised for treatment.

A further six individuals, comprising guests, visitors and emergency responders, received treatment at the scene last Friday. In a statement released by resort chain Viva by Wyndham the day following the fire, staff expressed their condolences in the aftermath of Ms Valentino’s death.

“We are saddened that a guest perished and we send our thoughts to the family, while we await autopsy results to determine the cause,” a Viva by Wyndham spokesperson said.

“All other guests and staff were safely evacuated. At this time the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, is closed and will remain so until further notice.”

Hundreds of holidaymakers have since been moved to neighbouring hotels and alternative accommodation following last Friday’s devastating blaze. Distressing footage shared by local media showed dense black smoke sweeping across the Caribbean shoreline as substantial sections of the resort, including its thatched roof, were engulfed by the fire as firefighters battled the flames into submission.

The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Centre (COE) stated initial investigations indicated the fire escalated quickly due to powerful winds and the combustible palm roofing utilised in areas of the complex.

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s most popular tourist destination, welcoming more than 5.6 million visitors during the first five months of this year.

The hotel, located in what was formerly a quiet fishing village, now sits in a bustling tourist hub in the Caribbean nation that has succeeded in retaining much of its tranquil charm. Viva has carried out extensive renovations in recent years, overhauling communal areas and dining facilities while continuing to share amenities with its sister establishment, Dominicus Beach.

The two resorts occupy a substantial portion of the Dominicus seafront.

Local residents turned to social media to indicate the blaze had overwhelmed the initial emergency response teams, with the enormous flames proving challenging to contain despite firefighters’ best efforts.

“Help. The Dominicus hotel, in Bayahibe, is being affected by a fire. Although fire trucks are already on the scene, the magnitude of the blaze exceeds the available equipment and greater support is required with higher-impact units to fully extinguish it,” one user posted on X alongside footage showing thick black smoke billowing from the resort hotel.