20/06/2026 15:15 - Internacionales
Incendio en hotel turístico caribeño con estructura de madera y techo de paja ardiendo, columnas de humo negro, bomberos trabajando, turistas evacuando por jardines con vegetación tropical
What began as a dream vacation for hundreds of tourists in the Dominican Republic turned into a scene of terror and desperation. On Friday, June 19, 2026, around 11:00 AM, a devastating fire swept through part of the Viva Dominicus hotel in Bayahíbe, located in La Altagracia province, leaving one Italian tourist dead and approximately 1,700 people evacuated.
The fire spread with alarming speed due to the wooden structures and thatched roofs typical of Caribbean architecture, completely destroying the premium bungalow area of the resort, located right by the sea. Images captured by witnesses show a thick column of black smoke visible from several points along the coast.
Córdoba and Santa Fe are provinces in central Argentina, known for their agricultural communities and being home to many of the Argentine tourists visiting Caribbean resorts through direct charter flights.
"We were on a terrace and saw how the fire started. A spark jumped while they were doing maintenance work welding the lobby roof, and it caught immediately. The fire swept through everything because the roofs here are all thatched, and the wind made it worse. Literally we ran for our lives. We ran to our room and managed to grab our passports and suitcases. There are people who lost all their belongings and documents."
"I was having breakfast at the buffet when I went outside and saw everyone looking in one direction. At first we didn't understand what was happening, and then we saw the smoke. Twenty minutes later, the buffet no longer existed, everything was burned. The columns of smoke and fire, goosebumps, a nightmare."
Key detail: Authorities warned that several rooms were in a "red zone" due to their proximity to gas tanks, which multiplied the danger of explosions.
The Viva Dominicus complex is divided into two main sections: Viva Dominicus Beach and Viva Dominicus Palace. The fire mainly affected the Beach section, closest to the coast, where the premium bungalows with thatched roofs overlooking the sea were located.
Daniela Muñoz, an Argentine tourist from Santa Fe province, explained that "the bungalows facing the sea had thatched roofs", while other areas of the hotel with concrete structures resisted the flames better. "The hotel is like a town divided in two. The Beach section, if you look from the sea, is on the right. That whole area burned down."
The fire consumed:
1
Franchezca Valentino (46 years old), Italian tourist. Died from smoke inhalation.
~1,700
Guests relocated
Argentina is one of the largest sources of tourists to the Caribbean, with many direct charter flights from Córdoba province to Punta Cana and other Dominican destinations. These packages are especially popular among middle-class Argentine families seeking affordable beach vacations.
According to testimonies gathered, many Argentarians were staying at the hotel, attracted by direct flights from Córdoba. A family of 11 people from Córdoba capital and Marcos Juárez was among the guests.
"There are many people from Córdoba here. Let people know that no one from Córdoba was injured. As far as we know, everyone is fine, for those who have worried families," Ignacio reassured in statements to local media.
However, not everyone was as fortunate. A family from Buenos Aires that they had met at the resort lost all their belongings, including their passports. "Regarding the passports, they said they would bring consuls to the hotel to handle the necessary paperwork", Muñoz reported.
The Argentine Embassy in the Dominican Republic intervened immediately after learning of the incident to expedite documentation procedures for affected compatriots. Power and internet outages in the area initially made communication with family members in Argentina difficult.
Bayahíbe is a small fishing village on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, about 30 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. It's known for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, and serves as a gateway to Saona Island, a protected natural reserve. The Viva Dominicus resort is a mid-to-upper range "all-inclusive" complex popular with tourists from around the world.
Note for international readers: Argentina is located in South America, approximately 7 hours by flight from the Dominican Republic. Direct charter flights from cities like Córdoba have made this destination increasingly popular among Argentine families seeking Caribbean getaways.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
