The blast damaged nearby structures, including the historic Marti Theater and the Calvary Baptist Church.
HAVANA — The death toll of a powerful explosion at a luxury hotel in Cuba’s capital increased to 31 Sunday evening as search crews with dogs hunted through the rubble of the iconic, 19th century building looking for people still missing.
In releasing the names of those who were killed, the Health Ministry said the dead included four minors, a pregnant woman and a Spanish tourist, whose companion was seriously injured. Authorities said the cause of the explosion at the hotel owned by Grupo de Turismo Gaviota SA was still under investigation, but believed it to have been caused by a gas leak. A large crane hoisted a charred gas tanker out of the rubble Saturday.
Crews have worked to clean up streets around the hotel and by late Saturday, substantial pedestrian traffic had resumed. Tourism had started to revive somewhat early this year, but the war in Ukraine deflated a boom of Russian visitors, who accounted for almost a third of the tourists arriving in Cuba last year.
López Obrador met Sunday with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who awarded him the Order of Jose Marti “for his great achievements for humanity.” It is the most important award the country gives to a foreigner.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Havana Hotel Death Toll Rises to 31 as Dogs Search for SurvivorsThe death toll of a powerful explosion at a luxury hotel in Cuba's capital increased to 31 Sunday evening as search crews with dogs hunted through the rubble of the iconic, 19th century building looking for people still missing.
Read more »
Havana Hotel Death Toll Rises to 31 as Dogs Search Rubble for SurvivorsThe hotel in Cuba's capital was preparing to reopen after being closed for two years when an apparent gas leak ignited, blowing the outer walls into busy streets Friday morning.
Read more »
Havana hotel death toll at 30 as dogs search for survivorsSearch crews with dogs on Sunday hunted through the ruins of a luxury hotel in Cuba’s capital for survivors of a devastating explosion while officials raised the number of known dead to 30.
Read more »
Rescue teams search for survivors as death toll rises in Havana hotelCuban first responders, relatives continue searching for victims after an apparent gas leak explosion in one of Havana’s most luxurious hotels, the Saratoga, killed at least 27 people and injured 81
Read more »
Desperate search for survivors after hotel explosion in Havana, Cuba; at least 26 deadAt least 26 people have died after an explosion at the Saratoga hotel in Havana, Cuba.
Read more »