(Cuba): The explosion at the Saratoga Hotel, an emblematic tourist establishment in Havana, occurred on Friday morning, as a tanker truck laden liquefied gas was serving the facilities.

The specialists explained that during the early hours of the morning the rescue forces managed to access the basement of the building and are looking for possible survivors there.

Among the deceased is a pregnant woman and four children, while 64 people remain in hospitals.

Search and rescue brigades continue removing debris inside the hotel, with the intention of reaching the basement of the building.

As a result of the accident, the hotel, which was scheduled to reopen on May 10, lost its front and side façade, and the lower floors were damaged, as well as 17 surrounding buildings.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel lamented the loss of human lives and expressed gratitude for the people’s shows of solidarity.

He highlighted “the sense of responsibility and sensitivity of our leaders, who immediately went to the scene of the events (…) and the immediate support from our people, who mobilized to contribute with blood donations.”