AFP reports that a hotel under construction in central Havana was hit by a powerful explosion on Friday. The blast killed at least eight people and injured 30 others. The first four sites were beaten.
The Saratoga Hotel has 96 rooms, two restaurants and a 5-star swimming pool on the roof, which was badly damaged by an explosion at 11:00 a.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Switzerland). ) “The first findings indicate that the explosion was caused by a gas leak,” the Cuban president’s account said on Twitter.
At least four people were killed and at least 13 were missing in the blast, according to the first report by Louis Antonio Torres Eyribar, the Communist Party’s first secretary in Havana.
A cloud of smoke and dust rose from Prado, the main avenue near the Capitol, in the center of Havana, where the hotel is located. The first four sites were completely blown up and the floor was littered with debris and pieces of glass, the AFP found.
Several vehicles were destroyed near the hotel, which is known to have entertained many celebrities in recent years, including Madonna and Beyonc. Large numbers of rescuers closed the perimeter wall.
“Avid gamer. Social media geek. Proud troublemaker. Thinker. Travel fan. Problem solver.”