Iconic hotel burned to the ground in the Dominican Republic, 1,700 tourists fled to the beach (2 photos + 2 videos)
Hundreds of tourists' dreams of a paradise vacation in the Caribbean turned into a real nightmare. 
Hundreds of tourists' dreams of a paradise vacation in the Caribbean turned into a real nightmare. In the popular resort of Bayahibe, the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel complex broke out in flames and burned down almost completely.
The fire started in the middle of the day and spread at the speed of sound. Emergency services of the Dominican Republic explained that an authentic Caribbean design was to blame. The roofs of most buildings and bungalows were made of traditional dried palm thatch (straw). 
As soon as one building caught fire, strong gusts of wind instantly spread sparks across the entire grounds. The hotel, operating at 84% of its maximum capacity at the time, went up like a match. It took rescuers a long 17 hours to completely extinguish the open flames.
The hotel management and rescuers quickly organized the evacuation of nearly 1,700 people. Most tourists managed to be led to safe areas on the beach. Unfortunately, there were casualties. Francesca Valentino, a 46-year-old Italian woman who was running along with everyone else, inhaled a large amount of toxic carbon monoxide. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, but the woman could not be saved. According to authorities, there were no burns on her body.
In addition, three more people were hospitalized, and six received medical aid on the spot. Among them were four firefighters who suffered heat stroke while fighting the fire.
The flames have now been extinguished, but tourists face a harsh new reality. The fire destroyed the residential buildings so quickly that people ran out in whatever they were wearing. Many guests, including a large group of 285 Italian citizens, completely lost their belongings, money, and, worst of all, passports.
Currently, hotel management, together with embassies, is attempting to fast-track temporary online documentation for the victims. The displaced guests have been temporarily accommodated in hotels in the neighboring region of Punta Cana. Hotel giant Wyndham has already stated that this complex was independently managed, and the burned hotel itself is closing for an indefinite period. Remarkably, the neighboring premium hotel Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace miraculously suffered no damage at all.
