At least seven people are dead and many more are missing tonight after a suspected electrical fire tore through a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic, with British holidaymakers among the victims. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Tuesday at the Grand Bahia Principe complex in Punta Cana, a popular destination for UK package deals. Local emergency services confirmed that dozens were injured, some critically, as flames raced through the accommodation block.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as guests fled in their nightwear, and some were forced to jump from upper floors to escape. One Manchester couple told reporters they lost sight of their child in the chaos. The Foreign Office has activated its consular emergency team, stating it is in contact with Dominican authorities.
Labour groups have already seized on the tragedy to question the safety standards of overseas resorts marketed to working-class families. The resort's parent company has not yet issued a formal statement. Our thoughts are with the families and the community awaiting news.
