Death toll rises to 45 in Cuban hotel explosion

Rescuers work at the site of an explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana. File photo MEXICO, May 13. The death toll after a gas explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana has risen to 45 people, 15 people remain in hospital, including six in critical condition, according to the press service of the Cuban Ministry of Health «As of 18.30 on May 12 (01.30 Moscow time on May 13), 99 people were injured, of which 15 were hospitalized, 39 patients were discharged and 45 died,» the ministry's Telegram channel said in a statement. Among the six victims in critical condition, hospitalized, two children. In total, four minors were hospitalized. The president's office reported that in addition to the citizens of Cuba, a Spanish citizen died as a result of the incident. An explosion in the Saratoga Havana hotel on the morning of May 6 destroyed the facade of the building to the fifth floor, and 17 neighboring buildings were damaged, including a school. The preliminary version of what happened is a leak and explosion of household gas when pumping from a filling tank. Authorities called the incident an accident and declared official mourning on Friday and Saturday.