Tourists at luxury Dominican Republic resort are now STRANDED after horrific fire that killed reality TV mom turned their travel IDs to ash
The massive fire that killed an Italian reality TV star at a resort in the Dominican Republic also stranded around 1,700 tourists after the deadly blaze reduced their passports and other important documents to ashes.
The fire broke out Friday at Viva Dominicus Beach near the Wyndham in Bayahibe, a popular $350-a-night resort among Western tourists, many of whom were evacuated.
In the statement made by the Dominican Republic emergency service DAEH, it was stated that 46-year-old Italian woman Francesca Valentino was killed. He starred in a reality show about moving abroad for a new life.
Three people were taken to medical facilities and six others were treated at the scene, DAEH said. Those affected included guests, visitors and emergency responders.
Other tourists who were not injured were still left stranded, according to hotel manager Amanda Santana. ‘Unfortunately, they lost their identity documents, including their passports,’ he said.
‘We are coordinating with the embassies and governments of these countries to facilitate the entry of these guests.’
It’s not clear exactly how many American or British tourists were among the nearly 1,700 people affected. The Daily Mail has reached out to the US embassy in the Dominican Republic for comment and additional information.
Hotel officials said they were working with police to assist tourists needing replacement passports and expedite online applications for documents.
Drone footage shows a massive fire at Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. An Italian woman died in a fire
Francesca Valentino was photographed with her husband in a Facebook photo. He died in a fire at the holiday village.
Approximately 1,700 tourists were stranded in the Dominican Republic due to their passports being burned. Tourists on the beach were seen in front of the fire
Most affected visitors were moved to hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe.
When the fire broke out at Viva Dominicus Beach, the facility was operating at 84 percent capacity.
Shocking images show huge clouds of black smoke rising from raging fires in at least a dozen buildings in the seaside resort.
The Dominican Republic Emergency Operations Center (COE) said, ‘Initial observations show that the fire is spreading rapidly due to the flammable nature of the palm parts of the roof structures and the wind conditions.’
The operations center said the fire was under control but the cause was still being investigated.
The cause of the Italian woman’s death is also under investigation, according to COE director General Manuel Méndez.
The COE added: ‘Tourist activities in and around Bayahibe remain unaffected and continue to occur safely and normally.’
During the fire, when the flames got out of control, emergency services rushed to the facility and panicked tourists quickly ran away from the fire.
Shocking footage shows smoke rising from the facility as panicked tourists run for their lives.
When the fires got out of control, emergency services rushed to the area where tourists were concentrated. As the fire spread, some people gathered to watch the carnage
Officials said they were trying to control the flames in the area because they feared the flames would spread to nearby structures, Dominican Today reported.
An eyewitness said on social media that firefighters were struggling to extinguish the fire.
‘Although fire trucks were already on scene, the size of the fire exceeds the equipment available and further support with higher-impact units is needed to fully extinguish the fire,’ they wrote.
In the video, firefighters can be seen spraying water on burning buildings, but the hose is very small compared to the structure.
Dozens of witnesses gathered to watch the carnage as the hotel burned.
Viva Dominicus Beach is described on its website as an ‘all-inclusive paradise’ where ‘the sun and moon provide the backdrop for non-stop fun’ and surrounded by ‘pristine white sands’.
It offers a variety of entertainment, from restaurants and live music to sports such as pickleball, paddleboarding and trapeze lessons.
The resort spreads out onto the beach, complete with a large pool close to the sand.
The resort is a popular destination for American tourists. It has undergone extensive renovations over the past few years and was photographed before the fire.
There has also been extensive renovations in the last few years, including common areas and many food options.
Famous for its clear waters and white sandy beaches, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s top tourist destination. The country received approximately 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year.
