U.S. officials monitoring explosion in Cuba
The Biden administration is monitoring a major explosion in Havana on Friday that devastated a luxury hotel in the historic center of the Cuban capital, killing at least 22 people.
Multiple U.S. officials told McClatchy they have no reason to believe the explosion was caused by anything other than a gas leak, the explanation provided by the Cuban government. The U.S. Embassy in Havana was not affected by the event.
A security alert from the U.S. Embassy after the explosion advised Americans to avoid the affected area, contact local authorities if they were in the affected area and needed emergency assistance, monitor local media for updates, contact loved ones directly to notify them of their welfare and to update their status on social media.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the scene. The presidential office said Friday evening that 50 adults and 14 children had been admitted to hospitals.
“It was not a bomb or an attack — it is an unfortunate accident,” Díaz-Canel said.
Cuban state media reported that there were no guests at the hotel because it was undergoing repairs.
Images and videos show extensive damage to several floors, but the building was still standing. Two floors lost walls and windows, and a store on the ground floor was reduced to rubble. The explosion happened around 11 a.m., independent news 14ymedio reported.
With eclectic architecture and just steps from Central Park and the Cuban Capitol, the 19th century building was restored and reopened as a five-star luxury hotel in 2005. Several Cuban Americans and figures from the business world stayed there when they accompanied President Barack Obama on his visit to Cuba in 2016, and American celebrities, including Madonna and Beyoncé, have stayed at the hotel.
This story was originally published May 6, 2022 at 3:33 PM.
