At least eight people were killed and 30 others injured in the powerful explosion that rocked the five-star Saratoga Hotel in downtown Havana, according to Cuban media. But fears are being expressed that the death toll could rise as the fate of 13 people is still missing.
Cuban President Miguel Dias-Canel, who visited the scene of the disaster, was quick to rule out the possibility of a bomb attack, adding that authorities believe the explosion was caused by a gas leak.
The Cuban television report noted that "it was not a terrorist attack" and said that the hotel was closed and only workers were inside the building at the time of the explosion.
Images released by Granma, the newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, show a building that looks "bombed out", with shattered walls. One photo shows a body covered with a white sheet.
"There was a terrifying explosion and everything collapsed," said a woman, her face covered in dust, who was near the Saratoga Hotel at the time of the blast."
Rescue crews rushed to the scene, while police blocked off surrounding streets and the historic Capitol.
The five-star hotel, with its 96 rooms and rooftop pool, was renovated by a British company after the collapse of the Soviet Union and for years hosted foreign dignitaries and celebrities visiting Cuba.
After the relaxation of anti-pandemic measures, the Saratoga Hotel was due to reopen in four days, according to an announcement on its Facebook page.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
