Hotel explosion in Cuban capital: Death toll rises to 26

Hotel in Cuba’s capital has been ravaged by a gas explosionleaving at least 26 people dead.

The explosion, which took place at the Saratoga hotel, severely damaged two adjacent luxury apartment buildings and caused minor damage to 17 structures within a two-block radius. Glass and debris fell on pedestrians in the high-traffic area and flew to a nearby school.

Local authorities said that 50 adults and 14 children were injured in the incident hotel explosion this. Four of those killed were children and one victim was a Spanish tourist.

According to authorities and local media, rescuers are trying to find a way down to the basement in the hope of finding survivors. The search and rescue work was slow as engineers had to check the stability of the rest of the building.

The hotel, located in a building more than 100 years old, was closed and only workers were inside at the time of the explosion, Cuban state television reported. Residents of adjacent apartment buildings often rent out rooms to tourists.

This neoclassical hotel was remodeled by a British company after the fall of the Soviet Union and has for many years been used as a residence for government officials and celebrities.

Recently, the Saratoga hotel has lost some of its status as many new hotels have been opened in the capital city of Havana. However, Saratoga remains a five-star hotel just a few minutes away from various historical sites such as the centuries-old Marti Theater.

Cuba’s tourism industry has largely shut down for the past two years and is in the process of reopening, as domestically-developed vaccines appear to have tamed the COVID-19 outbreak, despite visitor arrivals. remains at about 30% of pre-pandemic levels.

The scene of destruction after the explosion at the Saratoga hotel in the center of the Cuban capital, Havana, killed at least 26 people. (Photo: AP)

Emergency services search and rescue efforts at the scene of the hotel explosion. (Photo: AP)

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