A new body was found under the rubble of the Saratoga hotel early Tuesday morning, four days after the explosion. With this, the deceased amount to 41, according to the data revealed by the rescue teams.
The first secretary of the Communist Party in Old Havana, Tamara Placeres, said that the body found at dawn is in the process of being identified, while the head of the Fire Department, Colonel Luis Guzmán, told the Cuban News Agency that They are still looking for more victims in the kitchen and dining room areas, in “high risk” conditions.
Rescue teams also reported that they have searched the multi-family building next to the hotel, which was also heavily affected by the explosion. So far four people are missing.
Of the 41 fatalities, in the last update, this Monday, the Ministry of Health identified eight of them: Noy Guzmán Suárez, 44 years old; Rafael Viga Torres, 50, Luillys Oquendo Díaz, 34, Maylen Quesada Velazco, 31, Aivis Chang Cruz, 45, Yaser Díaz Vázquez, 38, Claudia Castellanos Antuz, 30, Misael Sánchez Mantilla, 48, and Leaney Sencio Hechavarría, 47, all originally from Havana.
The latest official report also indicated that the explosion left 94 injured, of which 18 are still hospitalized and 36 were discharged.
The latest official report also indicated that the explosion left 94 injured, of which 18 are still hospitalized and 36 were discharged.
As the hours pass, it becomes difficult to maintain hope of finding more victims alive, but the relatives of the disappeared wait in a nearby building.
Among the disappeared, before the discovery of the body this morning, were: Maylin Quesada Velazco, Yosmani Hernández, Shady Cobas and Susel Torres, all hotel workers. Also, María Consuelo Alard Valdés, 78 years old, a neighbor of the accommodation.
The explosion at the Saratoga hotel occurred on Friday around 10:50 in the morning, in the historic building in Old Havana, according to the main hypothesis, when a truck was supplying liquefied gas to the establishment. The hotel that was under construction and was scheduled to reopen on May 10.
Among the buildings that suffered the most deterioration is the Martí Theater and the Baptist temple, in addition, the Yoruba Religious Cultural Center and the Capitol have minor damage. TEXT
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for joining us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our journal. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
