MADRID, Spain.- The Cuban Government decreed this Thursday an official mourning in Cuba for the victims of the explosion at the Hotel Saratoga in the capital.
The decision comes almost a week after the accident, which occurred on May 6, despite the population’s claims that the duel be established beforehand.
“On the occasion of the deep pain of our people in the face of the unfortunate accident that occurred at the Hotel Saratoga on May 6, the President of the Republic of Cuba agreed to decree an official mourning, from 06:00 on May 13, until 12:00 p.m. :00 on the night of May 14”, indicated the Presidency of Cuba through Twitter.
The entity also specified that after the rescue and salvage actions were completed, it is confirmed that 44 Cubans and a Spanish citizen lost their lives in the unfortunate accident.
Due to the deep sorrow of our people in the face of the unfortunate accident that occurred in the #HotelSaratogaon May 6, the President of the Republic of Cuba agreed to decree OFFICIAL DUEL, from 06:00 on May 13, until 12:00 at night on May 14.
— Cuba Presidency ?? (@PresidenciaCuba) May 12, 2022
According to Colonel Luis Carlos Guzmán, chief of the Fire Department of the Republic of Cuba, the cleaning and rubbish work will continue in the place.
The official mourning was announced after the rescue of the lifeless body of the last person who remained under the rubble was reported.
On May 8, while Cubans asked for mourning for the deceased at the Saratoga Hotel, and the relatives of the disappeared awaited news, the Cuban ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel fired to his Mexican counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador with a banquet that included music. The dinner was animated by the Faílde Orchestra.
Miguel Díaz-Canel’s wife, Lis Cuesta, tried to justify the lengthy decision of the duel in a brief tweet.
“Now it’s up. Before, it was impossible because it was turning off the slightest glimmer of hope for those who were still waiting to see their loved ones appear alive,” said the “first lady” of Cuba.
Now it corresponds. Before it was impossible because it was turning off the slightest light of hope for those who were still waiting to see their loved ones appear alive ? #ForceCuba pic.twitter.com/Gpn7Zz3u4j
– Lis Cuesta (@liscuestacuba) May 12, 2022
Explosion at the Saratoga Hotel
The burst in the hotel installation it happened on May 6, at 10:50 in the morning, Cuban time.
At the time of the accident, 51 employees were inside the hotel working for its reopening, scheduled for May 10, after two years closed due to COVID-19.
According to the Cuban authorities, the accident was caused by a transfer of liquefied gas.
According to the last part of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), offered this Thursday evening, 45 people died in the accident. Of those injured, 15 remain hospitalized and 39 have already been discharged.
Among the fatal victims are four children, a pregnant woman and a Spanish tourist.
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