Huge hotel fire leaves tourists stranded as passports burn to ash
Dominican Republic hotel fire leaves tourists stranded as passports burn to ash
A luxury resort in the Dominican Republic was devastated by fire last Friday, leaving one holidaymaker dead and others injured.
Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied
Add us as preferred source Comments By Rachel Vickers-Price, Kelly Williams 03:53, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 Updated: 03:56, Mon, Jun 22, 2026 
Guests at a luxury hotel devastated by a fire in the Dominican Republic have been left in limbo after a catastrophic blaze reduced their passports and vital travel documents to cinders.
For the nearly 1,700 guests evacuated last week from the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham, the ordeal appears far from over following Friday's shocking inferno that claimed the life of one holidaymaker.
Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Hotel staff at the stricken resort are now scrambling to assist stranded guests in the aftermath of the blaze. Hotel executive Amanda Santana told the Daily Mail: "Unfortunately, they lost their identity documents, including their passports. We have been coordinating with the embassies and governments of those countries to facilitate the entry of those guests."
Staff are now working alongside police and local authorities to support those affected and secure the essential paperwork required for stranded guests to return home.
It remains unclear precisely how many amongst the 1,700-or-so evacuees lost travel documents or personal belongings in the fire.
- Brits warned to never plug certain appliances into extension leads
- Three people confirmed dead after massive fire breaks out in West London
Emergency services were dispatched to the independently owned and operated Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Hotel last Friday after reports emerged of an outbreak of fire. Italian holidaymaker and reality TV star Francesca Valentino, 46, tragically lost her life, while three others were hospitalised for treatment.
A further six individuals, comprising guests, visitors and emergency responders, received treatment at the scene last Friday. In a statement released by resort chain Viva by Wyndham the day following the fire, staff expressed their condolences in the aftermath of Ms Valentino's death.
"We are saddened that a guest perished and we send our thoughts to the family, while we await autopsy results to determine the cause," a Viva by Wyndham spokesperson said.
"All other guests and staff were safely evacuated. At this time the hotel, which is independently owned and operated, is closed and will remain so until further notice."
Hundreds of holidaymakers have since been moved to neighbouring hotels and alternative accommodation following last Friday's devastating blaze. Distressing footage shared by local media showed dense black smoke sweeping across the Caribbean shoreline as substantial sections of the resort, including its thatched roof, were engulfed by the fire as firefighters battled the flames into submission.
The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Centre (COE) stated initial investigations indicated the fire escalated quickly due to powerful winds and the combustible palm roofing utilised in areas of the complex.
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most popular tourist destination, welcoming more than 5.6 million visitors during the first five months of this year.
The hotel, located in what was formerly a quiet fishing village, now sits in a bustling tourist hub in the Caribbean nation that has succeeded in retaining much of its tranquil charm. Viva has carried out extensive renovations in recent years, overhauling communal areas and dining facilities while continuing to share amenities with its sister establishment, Dominicus Beach.
The two resorts occupy a substantial portion of the Dominicus seafront.
Local residents turned to social media to indicate the blaze had overwhelmed the initial emergency response teams, with the enormous flames proving challenging to contain despite firefighters' best efforts.
"Help. The Dominicus hotel, in Bayahibe, is being affected by a fire. 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," one user posted on X alongside footage showing thick black smoke billowing from the resort hotel.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
