Initial investigations point to a gas leak as the cause. A massive explosion devastated a luxury hotel in Havana, killing several people.
At least nine people were killed in an explosion at a luxury hotel in the old town of the Cuban capital, Havana. Around 40 injured people are being treated in hospitals, reported “Granma”, the newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba.
According to the Presidential Office of the Caribbean one-party state, there was a strong explosion at the Hotel Saratoga on Friday morning (local time). According to initial investigations, a gas leak was the cause.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who got an idea of the situation on site, ruled out an attack. It was an unfortunate accident, his office quoted him as saying. Rescuers searched for possible survivors under the rubble.
Reopening was planned
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the well-known five-star hotel a few steps from the Capitol has been closed for about two years. It should be reopened next Tuesday. A witness reported that the hotel was being supplied with LPG at the moment of the explosion, Granma reported.
Pictures showed a large plume of smoke and the partially destroyed facade of the five-storey building – the bottom three floors looked completely devastated. Neighboring buildings and several vehicles were also apparently damaged.
Twitter users circulated images of severe damage to a church next to the hotel. A nearby school was evacuated, according to the government. Videos on social media showed a gathering of people around the scene of the accident. Some people rushed to try to help the injured. dpa
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