Video shows tourists flee as fire destroys resort
New footage has emerged showing tourists running along the beach with their luggage as a fire tore through their resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday.
It comes as the cause of death of Italian reality TV star Francesca Valentino has been revealed, with officials confirming she died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the blaze.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that she collapsed and lost consciousness after inhaling a heavy wave of smoke while attempting to evacuate to the beach.
The 46-year-old was transported to hospital by private car before she died.
Videos of the inferno at Viva Dominicus Beach Resort show holidaymakers struggling with huge suitcases and bags on the beach as they attempt to escape with their belongings.
Shocking footage showed enormous plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as flames ripped through what appeared to be at least a dozen buildings on the resort grounds.
Three people were taken to medical facilities while six others, including guests, visitors and emergency responders, were treated at the scene.
Many other holidaymakers escaped unharmed but lost their passports, money and personal belongings.
Dozens of witnesses gathered around to watch the ensuing carnage as the hotel burned
Shocking footage showed enormous plumes of smoke billowing into the sky
Francesca Valentino is pictured with her husband in a Facebook photo. She died in the blaze at the resort
One social media user wrote: 'So very sad! 1,700 guests without luggage, passports, money, etc.'
Another added: 'It's so sad seeing people dragging their luggage down the beach, at least they got out and no one has been hurt.'
A further comment read: 'Pretty scary that fire can spread that quickly on a hotel property.'
Another tourist remarked: 'Every time I look up at the roofs that are made out of leaves, I wonder, how long would I have to get out of here if a fire started.'
One witness said on social media that firefighters were struggling to extinguish the fires.
'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,' they wrote.
Video shows fire crews dousing burning buildings with water, but the hosepipe is measly by comparison to the structure.
Dozens of witnesses gathered around to watch the ensuing carnage as the hotel burned.
British holidaymakers at the resort described the panic that ensued, with one writing on social media: 'Shocking morning. Not much of Viva Dominicus Beach Resort left.'
Another added: 'A fire started in reception, spread rapidly to the bungalows near the infinity pool, then both buffet restaurants, the main pool, the square and a few of the bungalows towards the Palace. 'Still burning six hours later.'
Officials said the resort was operating at 84 per cent capacity when the fire broke out.
According to the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center, the blaze spread quickly because of the flammable nature of sections of the palm-thatched roofs, combined with windy conditions.
Hotel executive Amanda Santana said some tourists had lost their identity documents, including passports, and officials were coordinating with embassies to help affected visitors return home.
Videos of the inferno show holidaymakers struggling with huge suitcases and bags on the beach as they attempt to escape
Officials said the resort was operating at 84 per cent capacity when the fire broke out
A drone view shows a huge fire breaking out at the Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham in Bayahibe, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. The blaze killed one Italian woman
Many guests have since been moved to other hotels in Bayahibe and Punta Cana.
The fire has since been brought under control, but investigators are still working to determine what caused the blaze and the exact circumstances surrounding Valentino's death.
'Preliminary observations indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the flammable nature of parts of the roof structures made of palm, as well as wind conditions,' the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center (COE) said.
The Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center said tourist activities in Bayahibe and the surrounding area continue as normal.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are in contact with the local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any British nationals affected.'
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.'
