By: Natasha Archary
At least 30 people have died in the Havana hotel explosion that brought the Cuban state to a halt on Friday.
More than 60 others have been hospitalized, with tens more missing as rescue teams continue to search through the rubble on Monday.
The explosion, said to have been the result of a gas leak, has been ruled an accident by the Cuban government who immediately denied this was a bomb attack.
Hotel Saratoga, was a historic part of Cuba, and was built in the 19th century. In the 1930s, the hotel was one of the most important landmarks in Havana.
Boasting 96 rooms, the establishment was a popular venue for international celebrities who visited the country.
NOW – Explosion at history Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba.pic.twitter.com/uPN9cyLrbA
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) May 6, 2022
Preliminary assessments of the Havana hotel explosion show most of the outer walls were damaged in the blast.
The hotel was closed for 2-years due to Covid-19 and there were plans to reopen before the explosion.
According to reports, there were no guests staying at the hotel at the time but 11 hotel employees were killed.
Several nearby structures were also damaged and a number of buses and cars parked outside the hotel were destroyed too.
It is believed a gas tanker which was parked outside the hotel is the cause of the explosion.
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