Explosion hits resort in downtown Havana, main injury seen

A powerful explosion hit a well known resort in downtown Havana on Friday, tearing a gash a number of flooring excessive into the aspect of the constructing and injuring not less than one individual, witnesses and Cuban state media stated.

Photos from Granma, the Communist Party’s official each day, confirmed photos of the multistory Hotel Saratoga with partitions apparently blown out by the blast. It was not instantly clear what brought on the explosion.

A Reuters witness noticed smoke and flames coming from the constructing. Police and rescue employees flocked to the scene, cordoning off key factors and buildings close by, together with the historic Capitolio constructing.

A photograph from the scene confirmed what gave the impression to be not less than one physique on the scene with a white fabric over it.

The resort was transformed by a British firm after the autumn of the Soviet Union and was thought-about the place to go for visiting authorities officers and celebrities’ for a few years. Recently, it had misplaced a few of its shine with the opening of latest inns in Havana, however was nonetheless a five-star venue.

The resort had been set for a post-pandemic re-opening in 4 days, in accordance with its Facebook web page.