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At least one holidaymaker has died in a fire which engulfed a popular hotel in the Dominican Republic.
Some 1,700 guests were evacuated from the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in the southeastern resort of Bayahibe.
Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian, was killed in the blaze.
Three people were taken to medical centres, while another six were treated on site.
Helicopters brought in by the country’s air force also helped tackle the fire.
The inferno has been brought under control.
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The cause of the blaze is unknown, but preliminary findings from emergency officials pointed to the flammable nature of the hotel’s palm roof and windy conditions as catalysts for the rapid spread of the fire.
Guests have since been relocated to nearby hotels, including sister hotel Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, which did not suffer any damage.
The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) said: ”Tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area remain unaffected and continue to take place safely and as normal.’
Director Juan Manuel Mendez added: ‘The causes that caused the fire remain under investigation, and it will be the relevant technical commission in charge of establishing them once the emergency and evaluation work on site are completed.’
The most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic received some 5.6 million visitors in the first five months of this year alone.
Wyndham Beach, which charges £350-a-night has recently undergone renovation and boasts a large pool near the sand.
In a letter to partners, the hotel said it had cancelled all bookings up to and including Sunday.
‘We will keep you informed as soon as we have more information or relevant updates regarding the situation and the hotel’s operations’, the note added.
‘Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.’
Metro has contacted Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for comment.
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