The death toll of the terrible explosion that semi-destroyed the historic Hotel Saratoga in the center of Havana, Cuba rises to 22. On the other hand, about fifty are injured according to the latest provisional toll released by state TV.

Rescuers are working to try to reach various people who have been trapped under the rubble , the broadcaster specified, adding that at least one woman is known for certain that she is alive.

Waiting for a definitive official version on the causes of the tragedy , the President of the Republic Miguel Diaz-Canel in a statement states that "it was not a bomb or an attack, but only an unfortunate accident", unspecified.

There was talk generically of a " gas leak " not confirmed by the Cuban gas company. A press release indicates that the liquefied gas tanker, perhaps at the origin of the tragedy, "offered a regular service with expert personnel at the time of the accident".

Fears of a terrorist operation are due to the fact that in the 1990s there were several attacks in the Cuban capital , all of which targeted hotels. In July 1997, explosives were placed in the Capri and Nacional hotels. On 4 September of the same year it was the turn of the Chateau Miramar and Copacabana hotels, and of the Neptuno-Tritón hotel complex. Finally, that same night, an explosive device also exploded in the La Bodeguita del Medio restaurant.

The Saratoga hotel was supposed to be reopened on May 10th.

(Unioneonline / L)