Firefighters and rescuers worked overnight in the basement of the Saratoga Hotel searching for the bodies. Photo: AFP
Firefighters and rescuers found the others Monday four corpses among the ruins of the Saratoga hotel in Havana, which exploded on Friday due to a gas leak, and the death toll rose to 35.
“Early in the morning, three more people appeared, died. They worked all night without stopping. And now, unfortunately, a few minutes ago another victim was found,” Colonel said. Luis Carlos Guzmanchief of the fire department in an interview conducted shortly ago by the state channel.
As reported by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, until this Sunday night there was 85 people were injured, of which 31 have died; 24 were hospitalized; and 30 have already been discharged. But with the emergence of four more bodies, the number of accidents rose to 89 and deaths to 35.
During these times, rescue work is focused on the basement and sub-basement of the downtown hotel, making the task difficult because they are difficult and dangerous to access.
The basement of the Hotel Saratoga, where the rescuers were present at this time. Photo: Reuters
“Is a very dangerous stage due to the concentration of debris and the risk of falling. So far, we have not had any accidents with the forces participating in this activity, “Guzmán continued.
According to the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, at the time the explosion occurred, inside Saratoga there was 51 workers.
Exactly, a report from the state Cuban News Agency (ACN) indicated that the bodies found this morning correspond to hotel workers.
Rescuers confirmed they found four new bodies. Photo: AFP
“According to the claims of relatives of the disappeared, it is estimates that there are around 12 or 13 people still trapped,” the ACN added.
Local media and several international media outlets have been highlighting the tireless work of Red Cross firefighters and rescuers since Friday.
“Congratulations to the members of the Red Cross and all our gratitude for the sensitive and indispensable work they are doing. Thank you for your dedication, for your vigilance,” President Miguel Díaz-Canel told them in a post on social networks. Twitter, a few hours ago.
The tragedy
The tragedy broke out in Havana minutes after 11 on Friday, when a loud explosion heard a few blocks around exploded in front of the emblematic building from the Cuban capital, located in the historic city center, in front of the seat of the National Parliament.
After a day dominated by gloom and sadness; and after the smoke and dust disappear at night, the great damage caused by the explosion can be seen in the building.
The facade of Hotel Saratoga was shot on Monday. Photo: EFE
The first floors were destroyed and the completely torn facade revealed mattresses, pieces of furniture, hanging glass, and torn curtains.
The emblematic five-star hotel has been closed for two years due to the pandemic and is preparing to reopen to the public this Tuesday. Its first four floors were destroyed.
Built in 1880 and converted into a hotel in 1933, Saratoga is known to have hosted several celebrities in recent years, including Mick Jagger, Beyoncé and Madonna.
With information from the AFP
Source: Clarin
