A massive fire at a resort in the Dominican Republic, which caused the death of an Italian tourist, turned the stay of two Portuguese families into an emergency evacuation. Despite the loss of documents and personal belongings, everyone managed to leave “safe and sound”.
At least 21 Portuguese were removed and relocated after a large fire hit the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe, a tourist area in the southeast of the Dominican Republic, on Friday.
The fire forced the evacuation of around 1,700 people and caused death of an Italian tourist.
All national citizens are in good health and are being monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Portuguese Embassy in Mexico, which has consular jurisdiction over the Dominican Republic, and by the Portuguese honorary consul in the country.
According to , the affected Portuguese people come from two familiesmeanwhile resettled in other hotel units. At least four were left without documents during the fire.
“It was indeed a huge fire.”, stated this Saturday the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, in statements to , on the sidelines of the 43rd National Congress of the PSD. “They are all in good health. At the moment, they have already been relocated to other hotels and we are working on their return.”
The official confirmed that some of the people affected lost their documentation in the flames, and the Portuguese authorities are taking care of the documents necessary to allow return a Portugal.
“There’s no news for no alarm”, highlighted Paulo Rangel, adding that Everyone managed to get out “safe and sound”although they experienced “a traumatic situation” and suffered material losses.
O Morning Mail advances that a Portuguese family of four lost all the possessions he had taken for the tripincluding identification documents.
The fire caused at least one death. Dominican authorities identified the victim as Francesca Valentinoa 46-year-old Italian tourist.
In addition to the fatal victim, nine injuries were reported. According to CNN Portugal, at least three people were transported to health units and another six received assistance on site.
According to local authorities, around 1,690 people were evacuated of the hotel unit, among guests, visitors and workers. Evacuated guests were sent to other nearby hotels and accommodation.
The causes of the fire are still investigated. According to Dominican emergency authorities, the fire spread quickly due to the wind and flammable materials used on part of the resort’s roofs.
A roof structure, made of straw, and the vento may have been decisive for the rapid progression of the flames.
