New footage shows tourists fleeing with their bags as fire destroys Dominican Republic resort - and it's revealed Italian celebrity died from carbon monoxide fumes

By ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:37, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 11:55, 22 June 2026 New footage has emerged showing tourists running along the beach with their luggage as a fire tore through their resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday. It comes as the cause of death of Italian reality TV star Francesca Valentino, 46,  has been revealed, with officials confirming she died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the blaze. Italian news agency ANSA reported that she collapsed and lost consciousness after inhaling a heavy wave of smoke while attempting to evacuate to the beach. The 46-year-old was transported to hospital by private car before she died.  Videos of the inferno at Viva Dominicus Beach Resort show holidaymakers struggling with huge suitcases and bags on the beach as they attempt to escape with their belongings. Shocking footage showed enormous plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as flames ripped through what appeared to be at least a dozen buildings on the resort grounds.  Three people were taken to medical facilities while six others, including guests, visitors and emergency responders, were treated at the scene. Many other holidaymakers escaped unharmed but lost their passports, money and personal belongings.  Francesca Valentino is pictured with her husband in a Facebook photo. She died in the blaze at the resort Videos of the inferno show holidaymakers struggling with huge suitcases and bags on the beach as they attempt to escape Shocking footage showed enormous plumes of smoke billowing into the sky One social media user wrote: 'So very sad! 1,700 guests without luggage, passports, money, etc.' Another added: 'It's so sad seeing people dragging their luggage down the beach, at least they got out and no one has been hurt.' A further comment read: 'Pretty scary that fire can spread that quickly on a hotel property.' Another tourist remarked: 'Every time I look up at the roofs that are made out of leaves, I wonder, how long would I have to get out of here if a fire started.' One witness said on social media that firefighters were struggling to extinguish the fires. '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,' they wrote. Video shows fire crews dousing burning buildings with water, but the hosepipe is measly by comparison to the structure. Dozens of witnesses gathered around to watch the ensuing carnage as the hotel burned. British holidaymakers at the resort described the panic that ensued, with one writing on social media:  'Shocking morning. Not much of Viva Dominicus Beach Resort left.' Another added: 'A fire started in reception, spread rapidly to the bungalows near the infinity pool, then both buffet restaurants, the main pool, the square and a few of the bungalows towards the Palace. 'Still burning six hours later.' Officials said the resort was operating at 84 per cent capacity when the fire broke out. According to the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center, the blaze spread quickly because of the flammable nature of sections of the palm-thatched roofs, combined with windy conditions. Hotel executive Amanda Santana said some tourists had lost their identity documents, including passports, and officials were coordinating with embassies to help affected visitors return home. Officials said the resort was operating at 84 per cent capacity when the fire broke out Dozens of witnesses gathered around to watch the ensuing carnage as the hotel burned A drone view shows a huge fire breaking out at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. The blaze killed one Italian woman Many guests have since been moved to other hotels in Bayahibe and Punta Cana. The fire has since been brought under control, but investigators are still working to determine what caused the blaze and the exact circumstances surrounding Valentino's death. 'Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature ​of parts of the roof structures made of palm, as ​well as wind conditions,' the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center (COE) said.  The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center said tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area continue as normal. A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British nationals affected.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. 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