The blaze almost completely destroyed the resort, which is located on the country’s southeastern coast and is a popular destination for visitors from the United States and other countries.

The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center said approximately 1,690 tourists were evacuated from the resort and relocated to other hotels and nearby housing facilities as emergency crews responded to the fire.

Local media reported that an Italian tourist died in the incident and that several other tourists required medical assistance. Authorities had not immediately released further details regarding casualties.

Officials said the cause of the fire remained under investigation. The Emergency Operations Center said preliminary assessments indicated that strong winds and sections of thatched roofing contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze across the property.

The fire prompted a large-scale emergency response as authorities worked to secure the area and accommodate displaced guests.

Viva Wyndham’s nearby Dominicus Palace resort was not affected by the fire and continued normal operations, according to the Emergency Operations Center.

The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism destinations, with resort developments along its coast forming a key pillar of the country’s economy.