Death toll climbs to 27 after blast at landmark hotel

Rescuers combed through what remained of a luxury Havana hotel, as the death toll after a powerful blast due to a suspected gas leak climbed to 27, authorities said.

No survivors were found in the upper floors of the prestigious Saratoga hotel, and rescuers said they were now concentrating their efforts on the jumbled debris filling the two-level basement of the neoclassical building in the heart of the capital.

Authorities reported on Saturday that 37 people had been admitted to hospital, down from an earlier number of 46.

Officials said that the dead included four children and adolescents. Most of those injured were workers or employees at the landmark property.

With the search now turning towards the building’s basement levels – a woman’s cry for help was heard emanating from there on Friday afternoon – tonnes of debris have complicated the grim task.

“My daughter works in the Saratoga – she’s been there [under the rubble] since … yesterday morning, and in all this time I still don’t know anything,” an anguished Yaumara Cobas told journalists, adding that she had checked with a hospital and the morgue.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on Twitter that one Spanish tourist had died in the blast and another was seriously injured.

“All our love to their families and those of all the victims and injured. Our support also to the Cuban people,” he added.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel deplored the loss of life and destruction in a Twitter message, while commending those Cubans who had rushed to donate blood for survivors.

“Solidarity has prevailed. #FuerzaCuba,” he wrote.

Officials from Canada, China, the European Union, Russia, the United States and Venezuela sent messages of condolence.

The first four floors of the property, which were closed to guests while being renovated, were gutted in the late-morning blast that sent a cloud of dust and smoke billowing into the air.

The explosion also tore off large parts of the facade, blew out windows and destroyed cars parked outside the five-star establishment.

The dome of a nearby Baptist church also collapsed.

Inside what remained of the Saratoga were the workers preparing for tomorrow’s reopening.

Roberto Calzadilla of state company Gaviota, which owns the hotel, said the explosion happened while a gas tank was being refilled.

Ambulances and fire trucks rushed to the scene on Friday and police cordoned off the area, dispersing onlookers.

Seated opposite the island’s National Capitol building, the Saratoga hotel has 96 rooms, two bars, two restaurants, a spa, a rooftop pool and a gym.

Built in 1880 to house shops, it was converted into a hotel in 1933 and was renovated as a luxury property in 2005.