One of Cuba’s most expensive five-star hotels, Saratoga Hotel, lies in ruins following a massive explosion on May 6, 2022
According to the BBC, at least eight people have died, with more than 30 injured in Old Havana.
Havana’s Saratoga Hotel explosion was caused by a gas leak, according to local officials. The five-storey building was set for a post-pandemic reopening in four days.
Unfortunately, the building now has its outer wall torn off, and rescuers are underway to locate people trapped under the debris.
Local officials also confirmed that a school behind the building was not affected by the explosion and all the children have been evacuated.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel reacted to the unfortunate news and said; “It was not a bomb or an attack, it’s an unfortunate accident.”
The Saratoga Hotel had been closed for refurbishment following the pandemic.
The 19th century building has great history with celebrities – after stars such as Madonna, Beyoncé and Mick Jagger stayed there during the thaw between Havana and Washington under President Barack Obama.
See the Saratoga Hotel Explosion Video below;
#Cuba furchtbares Unglück im #Saratoga #Hotel in Havanna
Eine schwere #Explosion im Hotel in #Havanna mindestens acht Tote und rund 30 Verletzte.Das Hotel wurde renoviert und dabei kam es zu diesem Unglück #Stuttgart #Kesselblaulicht #News pic.twitter.com/mZh36dCBtH
— Kesselblaulicht (@kesselblaulicht) May 6, 2022
