Cuba: deadly explosion in a luxury hotel under construction in Havana
Rescuers and firefighters work in the rubble of the Saratoga hotel in Havana, after the explosion on Friday, May 6, 2022. AFP - ADALBERTO ROQUE
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
A strong explosion ravaged this Friday, May 6 a luxury hotel in the center of Havana, which was under construction.
The Cuban presidency announced on Twitter that at least eight people had lost their lives, that about thirty others had been injured, eleven of whom are in serious condition, and that thirteen were still missing.
A gas leak could be the cause of this murderous drama.
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The first four floors of the Saratoga Hotel, an iconic 5-star establishment with 96 rooms, two restaurants and a rooftop swimming pool, were blown away by the terrible explosion.
Under construction, the hotel, once frequented by Madonna, Mick Jagger, Rihanna and Beyoncé, was closed to tourists.
Only there were employees preparing for its reopening, scheduled for May 10.
"
It was neither a bomb nor an attack, it was a regrettable accident
," said President Miguel Diaz-Canel, from the scene of the tragedy, ending the emerging debates on social networks.
Junto a @MMarreroCruz, miembros del Consejo de Ministros y autoridades de la capital estuvimos en la zona y recorrimos los hospitals donde se atienden a las víctimas.
Pedí has known directivos y todo el personal que luchen por las vidas de nuestros compatriotas.
#FuerzaCuba pic.twitter.com/9VU06Z95L8
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) May 6, 2022
The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. (local time).
A few minutes later, a thick cloud of smoke and dust was still spreading on the avenue du Prado, where the luxury hotel is located.
"
Search and rescue work continues in the hotel, where it is possible that other people are trapped
," said the first secretary of the Communist Party in Havana.
Several vehicles were also destroyed near the building, built in 1880 to house stores, before being transformed into a hotel in 1933, then going upmarket in 2005.
📢 NIÑOS DE LA ESCUELA CONTIGUA FUERON EVACUADOS
Colegas de la Editora Abril nos informan que los niños de la escuela contigua a la instalación hotelera fueron evacuados, indica @cubadebatecu
Noticia ampliada 👉 https://t.co/70AWayzxw5 pic.twitter.com/ ye2CsbZzbW
— Periódico Granma (@Granma_Digital) May 6, 2022
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Cuba
Miguel Diaz-Canel