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

Guests at a fire-ravaged luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic have been left in limbo after a catastrophic fire reduced their passports and important travel documents to ashes.

For the nearly 1,700 guests evacuated from Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham last week, the ordeal doesn’t seem to be over yet following Friday’s shocking inferno that claimed the life of one holidaymaker.

Hotel staff of the facility affected by the fire are trying to help the guests trapped after the fire. Hotel manager Amanda Santana told the Daily Mail: “Unfortunately, they have lost their identification documents, including their passports. We are coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate entry for these guests.”

Staff are currently working with police and local authorities to support those affected and to secure essential paperwork for stranded guests to return home.

It remains unclear exactly how many of the approximately 1,700 evacuees lost their travel documents or personal belongings in the fire.

Emergency services were sent to the independently owned and operated Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel last Friday after reports of a fire emerged. Italian holidaymaker and reality TV star Francesca Valentino, 46, tragically died, while three other people were hospitalized for treatment.

Last Friday, six more people, including guests, visitors and emergency responders, were treated at the scene. In a statement released by holiday chain Viva by Wyndham the day after the fire, staff expressed their condolences following Ms Valentino’s death.

A Viva by Wyndham spokesperson said, “We are sorry to hear about the death of a guest and send our thoughts to the family as we await autopsy results to determine the cause.” he said.

“All other guests and staff were evacuated safely. The independently owned and operated hotel is currently closed and will remain closed until further notice.”

Hundreds of holidaymakers were moved to neighboring hotels and alternative accommodation following last Friday’s devastating fire. Harrowing footage shared by local media showed thick black smoke rising along the Caribbean coastline as firefighters battled the flames, with a significant part of the facility, including the thatched roof, engulfed by the blaze.

The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Center (COE) stated that initial investigations showed that the fire grew rapidly due to strong winds and flammable palm roofs used in some areas of the complex.

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

Formerly located in a sleepy fishing village, it is now located in a bustling tourist destination in the Caribbean country that has managed to retain much of its tranquil charm. Viva has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, overhauling common areas and dining facilities while continuing to share amenities with its sister property, Dominicus Beach.

The two resorts occupy a significant part of the Dominicus coast.

Local residents took to social media to point out that the blaze had captivated first emergency responders and that despite firefighters’ best efforts, the massive flames were difficult to contain.

“Help. Dominicus hotel in Bayahibe is affected by a fire. Although fire trucks have arrived at the scene, the size of the fire exceeds the available equipment and further support with higher-impact units is needed to fully extinguish the fire,” one user wrote on X, alongside images showing thick black smoke rising from the hotel.