The authorities handle the unofficial information that indicates that the explosion in the Saratoga was due to a gas leak. The official information at the end of the afternoon indicated dozens of wounded.
In the morning hours of this Friday, May 6, a “massive” explosion was recorded in Cuba that left nine dead and destroyed the Hotel Saratoga, a luxury hotel located in the historic center of Havana that had been closed since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. The shock wave also damaged an apartment building and a nearby school.
The official figures at the end of the afternoon indicated 13 missing people and dozens of wounded, he quoted DW.
The images spread on social networks show the population running from one side to the other while the smoke produced by the debris of a part of the Saratoga that fell to the ground is seen. The total number of victims is still unknown.
They say that the injured received immediate medical care at the closest dispensary centers, while they indicate that some six ambulances arrived at the scene of the incident to attend to the victims. Also, buses and taxis that were parked in front of the aforementioned hotel were destroyed.
Beneath the rubble there are people and passers-by trying to help get the injured out.
?? The seconds after the explosion at the Saratoga hotel, in Havana, Cuba.#DestinationCuba pic.twitter.com/UlmS9lT1dq
— Cubanet ?? (@CubanetNoticias) May 6, 2022
?? | URGENT: Hotel Saratoga, downtown Havana: pic.twitter.com/bFz1rpiR1f
— Alert News 24 (@AlertaNews24) May 6, 2022
Urgent now in Havana. The Hotel Saratoga, one of the most famous in the country, has just collapsed. The number of victims is unknown, terrible. pic.twitter.com/NM8gJdPQLv
— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti) May 6, 2022
? #NOW | Strong explosion damages the historic Saratoga hotel in Havana, Cuba. pic.twitter.com/Vnsn2RyXsb
— World in Conflict ? (@MundoEClicto) May 6, 2022
? #NOW | A huge explosion has destroyed the Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba. pic.twitter.com/NdCJeIx9oE
— World in Conflict ? (@MundoEClicto) May 6, 2022
This is how the Saratoga hotel was left after the explosion #Cuba ??(? @CNN_Oppmann ) pic.twitter.com/ALwGBZZfDh
– Carlos Montero (@CMonteroOficial) May 6, 2022
? #NOW | The Hotel Saratoga is near the Capitol of Cuba, one of the busiest areas of the city of Havana. pic.twitter.com/y3SHeA9vvs
— World in Conflict ? (@MundoEClicto) May 6, 2022
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, made an appearance at the scene to assess the damage. According to the unofficial information handled by the Executive, the explosion occurred due to an alleged gas leak.
*Also read: Maduro received in Miraflores the Foreign Minister of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez
For its part, the independent media 14ymedio He reports that one of the Saratoga employees assures that what exploded were oxygen tanks that were being used in welding inside the hotel, which was to be reopened on May 10.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.
There will be more details on this soon. pic.twitter.com/IdeWdksCBb— Cuba Presidency ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) May 6, 2022
According to the information provided by Torres Iríbar, up to now 13 people remain missing.
The investigations continue and everything indicates that the explosion was caused by an accident.— Cuba Presidency ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) May 6, 2022
The hotel, with eclectic architecture and just steps from Central Park and the Capitol, was restored and opened as a five-star luxury hotel in 2005. Several Cuban-Americans and figures from the business world stayed there who accompanied President Barack Obama in his visit to Cuba in 2016.
Several politicians expressed their solidarity with what happened at the Hotel Saratoga in Cuba. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Marcelo Ebrad, expressed his regret for the fact and said that his visit to Havana continues despite the incident.
#Urgent: @lopezobrador_ keep your visit to #Cuba after the explosion at the Hotel Saratoga in Havana. Confirmed by the Secretary of Relations, @m_ebrard. pic.twitter.com/8yGaLYVpQB
– Rolando Segura (@rolandoteleSUR) May 6, 2022
I regret the explosion of the Saratoga hotel in Havana, Cuba. Our solidarity to victims and affected as well as to the people of that endearing brother town. The planned tour continues its course as planned.
– Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) May 6, 2022
The executive secretary of ALBA, Sacha Llorenti, assured that “Cuba is not alone” and lamented the death of people due to the incident.
Our complete solidarity with the people and government of Cuba in the face of the explosion at the Saratoga hotel.
We join the pain for the irreparable loss of life and wish the speedy recovery of the injured people.
Cuba is not alone. https://t.co/AbBXMTLOf6— Sacha Llorenti (@SachaLlorenti) May 6, 2022
Maduro sends message of solidarity
The governor Nicholas Maduro joined the messages of solidarity towards the people and the President of Cuba after the explosion.
«I express my solidarity with the Cuban people and President Díaz Canel for the unfortunate accident that occurred at the Hotel Saratoga, in Havana. Our hug to the families of the victims, we wish the speedy recovery of the injured. Cuban Force. We are with you! », Said Maduro through his Twitter account.
I express my solidarity with the Cuban people and the President @DiazCanelB for the unfortunate accident that occurred at the Hotel Saratoga, in Havana. Our hug to the families of the victims, we wish the speedy recovery of the injured. #ForceCuba We are with you! pic.twitter.com/8Fo1og0cQc
– Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) May 6, 2022
With information from CNN / Cuban Debate / The Americas Newspaper / Granma
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