Havana hotel death toll at 31 as dogs search for survivors

Havana: The death toll of a powerful explosion at Cuba’s luxury hotel increased to 31 as search crews with dogs hunted through the rubble, looking for people still missing. 

The iconic, 19th century building, was preparing to reopen after being closed for two years when an apparent gas leak ignited, blowing the outer walls into the busy, midmorning streets just a block from the country’s Capitol building on Friday. 

Several nearby structures also were damaged, including the historic Marti Theater and the Calvary Baptist Church, headquarters for the denomination in western Cuba. 

Reportedly, those who were killed included four minors, a pregnant woman and a Spanish tourist, whose companion was seriously injured. 

The ministry also said 54 people were injured, with 24 hospitalized. It previously reported 85 injured, but that tally turned out to include those killed by the explosion.

Nineteen families had reported people missing as of Saturday evening, but authorities did not say Sunday whether the number had changed.

Burials for victims had begun, municipal authorities said, while some people still waited for news of missing friends and relatives. 

The incident comes as tourism in the country was re-emerging from two difficult years caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Hotel Saratoga, a five-star 96-room hotel, is synonymous in Havana with visiting celebrities—after stars such as Madonna and Beyonce stayed there during the thaw between Havana and Washington under President Barack Obama. 

Moreover, the Hotel Saratoga has been used frequently by visiting VIPs and political figures, including high-ranking U.S. government delegations. 

The hotel was first renovated in 2005 as part of the Cuban government's revival of Old Havana and is owned by the Cuban military's tourism business arm, Grupo de Turismo Gaviota SA.