Explosion destroys historic Hotel Saratoga in Havana, Cuba – in pictures

  • Firefighters look over a plan as rescue efforts continue after an explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, Cuba. AFP
    Firefighters look over a plan as rescue efforts continue after an explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, Cuba. AFP
  • The death toll has climbed to 22, with more than 70 people injured. AFP
    The death toll has climbed to 22, with more than 70 people injured. AFP
  • Firefighters and rescue workers remove debris from the ruins of the Saratoga Hotel. AFP
    Firefighters and rescue workers remove debris from the ruins of the Saratoga Hotel. AFP
  • A firefighter walks among the debris. AFP
    A firefighter walks among the debris. AFP
  • A gas tanker truck is lifted from among the debris. Reuters
    A gas tanker truck is lifted from among the debris. Reuters
  • A rescuer carries a Cuban flag as he walks alongside the rubble. AFP
    A rescuer carries a Cuban flag as he walks alongside the rubble. AFP
  • The aftermath of a huge explosion that destroyed the Hotel Saratoga in the centre of Cuba's capital Havana. Reuters
    The aftermath of a huge explosion that destroyed the Hotel Saratoga in the centre of Cuba's capital Havana. Reuters
  • Rescue teams search for survivors. Reuters
    Rescue teams search for survivors. Reuters
  • A gas leak is suspected to cause the explosion, which witnesses described as a 'massive blast'. AFP
    A gas leak is suspected to cause the explosion, which witnesses described as a 'massive blast'. AFP
  • The 96-room hotel, which dates back to the 1930s, had reopened in 2005 after refurbishment. AFP
    The 96-room hotel, which dates back to the 1930s, had reopened in 2005 after refurbishment. AFP
  • The Saratoga Hotel pictured in 2017. It had closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and, according to a post on the hotel's Facebook page, was due to reopen on May 10. AFP
    The Saratoga Hotel pictured in 2017. It had closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and, according to a post on the hotel's Facebook page, was due to reopen on May 10. AFP