Death toll rises to 40 in Havana hotel blast | Inquirer News

Death toll rises to 40 in Havana hotel blast

/ 01:25 PM May 10, 2022

havana hotel explosion

Members of the Red Cross work at the Saratoga Hotel, in Havana, on May 9, 2022, three days after an explosion wrecked the building. AFP

HAVANA—The death toll from an explosion at a luxury hotel in the old quarter of Havana has risen to 40, the health ministry said Monday.

It said 54 people were injured in the blast last week, including six that are still in critical condition. The death toll Monday morning had been 35.

ADVERTISEMENT

Crews continued to comb through the rubble of the Saratoga five-star hotel, which was being renovated and had no guests at the time of the blast, seemingly caused by a gas leak.

FEATURED STORIES

The search is now focused on the basement and sub-basement of the building.

“It is at a very dangerous stage because of the concentration of the rubble and the danger of collapse,” fire department head Luis Carlos Guzman told state television Monday, updating the confirmed death toll.

The tourism ministry said that at the time of the blast there were 51 workers inside the hotel, which was readying for its post-refurbishment reopening this week.

The ACN state news agency said four bodies found overnight were those of hotel workers.

“According to family members, it is estimated that there are about 12 or 13 people still trapped,” the news agency added.

The first four floors of the hotel were gutted in the late-morning blast that sent smoke billowing into the air and rubble tumbling to the ground.

ADVERTISEMENT

The explosion, which an official said happened while a gas tank was being refilled by a tanker truck, tore off large parts of the facade, blew out windows and destroyed cars parked outside the hotel.

The luxury property is known for having hosted celebrities such as Madonna, Beyonce, Mick Jagger and Rihanna.

RELATED STORIES

Deadly blast at Pakistan hotel hosting China ambassador—official

Death toll in Somalia hotel blast rises to 26, police say

Sri Lanka bomber queued at hotel buffet detonating explosives

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Two dead, 18 injured in gas explosion at restaurant in Mexican tourist town

TAGS: Cuba, Havana

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.