The Hotel Saratoga, in the capital of Cuba, was partially destroyed by an explosion on Friday morning.
Havana, Cuba.- According to a Prensa Latina team on site, the façade was destroyed and five floors of the hotel were devastated.
Forces from the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) keep the place cordoned off and several fire trucks provide support in the relief work in the area of Old Havana, where smoke is still visible.
CUBAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES AT SARATOGA HOTEL AFTER EXPLOSION
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel was present in the vicinity of the Saratoga hotel, where a strong explosion occurred a few hours ago.
The president was accompanied by National People’s Power Assembly President Esteban Lazo and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.
AT LEAST 13 PEOPLE MISSING
Rescue forces are looking for at least 13 people who are still missing after the explosion that occurred at the Saratoga Hotel, in downtown Havana, on Friday morning.
The report was posted on the website of the Presidency of the Republic, which published statements by the first secretary of the Communist Party in Havana, Luis Antonio Torres, who added that there are collapsed parts inside the facility and there may still be people inside the building.
He told the press that the children from a school near the scene of the incident were evacuated to the headquarters of the National People’s Power Assembly and are now with their families.
Those injured by the strong explosion are receiving medical care in hospitals in this capital, while the work of rescuers continues, Cuban authorities reported.
People from the building next to the hotel were also rescued and everyone is safe, Torres said.
He pointed out that the cause was presumably an accident due to a liquefied gas leak and not sabotage.
Preliminary figures indicate that the incident left at least eight dead, twenty injured and 13 missing.
The director of the Calixto Garcia Hospital, Dr. Carlos Alberto Martinez, stated that all the doctors and resources are available to the injured who arrive at the healthcare facility.
Meanwhile, children are being sent to the Juan Manuel Marquez pediatric hospital. (PL)
