Tourist dies after huge fire rips through luxury beach resort as 1,700 holidaymakers forced to evacuate to escape flames

A huge fire swept through a luxury beach resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday, killing an Italian holidaymaker and prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,700 guests.

Francesca Valentino, 46, was on the beach when the blaze erupted at the Viva Dominicus Bayahibe resort.

Video footage shown on social media captured thick black clouds of smoke rising above the popular tourist destination as emergency crews battled to contain the rapidly spreading flames.

Resort staff and visitors were directed to safety zones in the surrounding area as the fire intensified throughout the complex.

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Nine people sustained injuries during the incident, with three requiring hospital treatment while six others received medical attention at the scene.

Witnesses described how firefighters faced significant challenges in tackling the inferno due to its scale.

An onlooker posted on social media: "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."

Emergency services worked continuously to bring the situation under control as the flames spread rapidly through the resort complex.

The full extent of damage to the property has not yet been confirmed by officials.

Footage shared widely online showed flames consuming a large thatched roof structure as thick black smoke billowed into the sky above the resort.

Videos showed terrified guests running from the area as the fire grew more intense.

Dozens of holidaymakers could be seen standing waist-deep in the ocean, watching helplessly as the blaze raged behind them on shore.

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The unusual nature of the emergency was increased by the sound of bachata music continuing to play nearby as the dramatic events unfolded.

Guests and hotel employees were subsequently guided to a neighbouring beach and other secure locations.

Preliminary investigations indicate that powerful winds caused the fire to spread swiftly across the resort's flammable palm-thatched roofing, allowing the blaze to engulf multiple buildings.

The fire broke out at 7am local time.

Guest Haley Priest, who was awoken by the sound of fire alarms, said: "They cleared every room, even though the rooms were not in imminent danger.

She praised the "superhuman" nature of the staff as they cleared the resort.

Authorities have confirmed that the fire has now been extinguished and the situation brought under control. A formal inquiry into what sparked the incident has been initiated.

The Viva Dominicus Bayahibe markets itself as an all-inclusive Caribbean paradise on its website.

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