Explosion destroys hotel in Havana: Reports
An explosion rocks Havana, Cuba, and preliminary information reveals it was caused by a car loaded with gas cylinders.
A powerful blast has destroyed the Saratoga hotel, located in front of the National Capitol building in Cuba’s Havana, local media reported on Friday.
NOW - Explosion at history Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba.pic.twitter.com/uPN9cyLrbA
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) May 6, 2022
According to the Noticias Cuba news agency, the explosion occurred in the early morning on Friday and injured several people.
A large #explosion has torn through several floors of a hotel #Saratoga in the #Cuban capital of #havana A bomb-like sound was reported in the area. pic.twitter.com/FUXOBgM6Rp
— chandrakant shinde (@shindeckant) May 6, 2022
"The explosion in the old city of Havana was not caused by a bomb, and an investigation is still underway," the press office of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said.
It also pointed out that the preliminary investigation indicates that the explosion in the hotel in central Havana was caused by a gas leak
The death toll after the explosion that destroyed the Saratoga hotel in Havana on Friday increased to eight, the Cuban presidential administration said.
Earlier in the day, the Cuban health authorities said the incident killed two people and injured 19 more.
"Eight people are confirmed dead as of now, 30 are hospitalized," the administration tweeted.
Footage of the big explosion went viral on social media.