Death toll climbs to 45 in Cuba hotel blast

Havana: The death toll of a powerful explosion at Cuba’s luxury hotel increased to 45 as the body of a waitress who is believed to be the final victim of the deadly blast has been pulled from the rubble of the destroyed building. 

About 80% of Havana's Hotel Saratoga was destroyed after a gas leak caused a massive explosion last week. 

Two adjoining apartment buildings were seriously damaged in the blast including the historic Marti Theater and the Calvary Baptist Church, headquarters for the denomination in western Cuba, while, 17 structures within a two-block radius suffered lighter damage.

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel has declared a national mourning period in honour of those who died. 

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. 

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

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.