◀ anchor ▶
An explosion at a five-star hotel in Cuba claimed the lives of more than 20 confirmed people.
This historic building dates back to the 19th century, but was quickly demolished in an accident believed to be a gas leak.
Reporter Kim Hyun-ji reports.
◀ Report ▶
“pop”
With the sound of an explosion, thick smoke spreads and covers the building.
As the smoke subsides and the dust settles, the walls crumble to reveal a building with only the skeleton left.
Heaps of crumbled cement hit the road and cars under the building.
At 12:00 noon local time on the 6th, a strong explosion occurred at the 5-star hotel in Havana, Cuba, in Saratoga.
[바바라 피네다/주민]
“I clearly felt the explosion with a bang. The glass cracked and fell and the white dust cloud didn’t go away.”
The explosion caused the building to collapse, killing at least 20 people, including one minor, and injuring 70 others.
As rescue operations progress, the number of casualties is expected to rise.
A gas leak is believed to be the cause of the explosion.
The explosion appears to have occurred while a truck carrying gas tanks was supplying liquefied natural gas to the hotel.
[미겔 디아스카넬/쿠바 대통령]
“This explosion is not a bomb or terrorist attack. It appears to be a very tragic accident that occurred in a gas tank.”
At the time of the explosion, the hotel was under renovation and there were no guests, but it is believed that the hotel staff and officials under construction suffered damage.
This hotel is located regarding 100 meters from the Cuban Capitol Building, and is a famous facility frequented by key figures.
In particular, it is a historic building built in the 19th century and was scheduled to reopen two years following it was renovated to revive the tourism industry, which had been shrunk by the corona virus.
This is Kim Hyun-ji from MBC News.
Video Editing: Ahn Joon-hyuk
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