Gas leak sparks hotel blast, says Cuban presidential office
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E-mail Xinhua, May 7, 2022
HAVANA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- A gas leak caused an explosion Friday that destroyed a large part of the historic Hotel Saratoga in downtown Havana, the Cuban presidential office said.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was caused by a gas leak," the presidential office said via Twitter, adding that "there will be more details about it soon."
At the scene, firefighters were working to cool the remains of a liquefied gas tanker truck believed to have exploded on a side street adjacent to the building.
Initial reports said nine people were killed in the accident and 40 others were injured.
Buildings near the scene of the accident were evacuated for safety and officials activated a blood donation drive to help the injured.
The five-star Hotel Saratoga, located near the National Capitol, headquarters of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, was originally preparing to reopen next Tuesday after closing for renovation work. Enditem
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