Cuba: Large explosion suspected of gas leak, nearly 100 casualties

Speaking from the scene on Cuban television, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the explosion at the Saratoga hotel appeared to be caused by a gas leak.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Reuters news agency as he left Calixto Garcia Hospital, where people injured in the blast were being treated: “This is not a bombing or an attack. It’s just an ear.” Very unfortunate accident”.

Saratoga Hotel was badly damaged during the blooming season. Photo: Reuters

Cuban state television reported that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing and it was not immediately clear if there were still victims trapped in the rubble. Official sources said that the cause of the explosion may have been an incident in the process of transporting liquefied gas from a truck to the hotel.

This 5-story hotel, built about a century ago, was closed due to the Covid-19 epidemic and only staff were inside at the time of the explosion.

Search and rescue efforts continued after the explosion. Photo: Reuters

Roberto Enrique Calzadilla, a representative of the company that operates many hotels in the country, said the 96-room hotel will reopen in the next few days and the staff is preparing the final steps. The explosion caused large black smoke to engulf buildings and surrounding streets.

The incident has caused negative sentiment in the capital’s old quarter, which is gradually reopening to tourists after the important tourism sector in the country was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.