A large explosion has torn through several floors of a hotel in the Cuban capital of Havana.

Much remains unknown concerning the blast at The Hotel Saratoga, including what caused the explosion and if there are any casualties inside the building.

A bomb-like sound was reported in the area and injured individuals have been seen outside the hotel, according to the Mirror.

Reports and images appearing to be from the scene suggest that people are being rescued from the rubble.

Tweeting pictures of the chaos, CNN Havana bureau chief Patrick Oppman wrote, “The Hotel Saratoga in Havana right now. A horrible scene of destruction. Not clear what caused the large explosion that toppled this iconic hotel”.

Police and fire personnel are going through the rubble looking for survivors after witnesses said a “massive blast” took place as buses and cars in the vicinity were also destroyed, CNN reported.

The hotel is located in Old Town Havana and had 96 rooms and a rooftop pool. After being built as a warehouse in 1880, it was rebuilt as a hotel in 1933.

More follows...

Read More