In Old Havana, building collapses have become a recurring issue due to the deteriorated condition of most structures in the municipality. This situation has been exacerbated by the recent heavy rains in the Cuban capital.
The most recent incident was a partial collapse that occurred on the night of Tuesday, June 18, in a building located on Monte Street between Águila and Ángeles. The collapse resulted in one person getting injured and needing to be transported to a hospital.
A local resident told Martí Noticias that "it was something foreseeable due to the terrible state of the buildings on the block... A balcony had already fallen, and part of it was propped up."
Another Cuban woman, also a resident of the area, told the same outlet that at 62 years old, "for as long as I can remember, that building has been declared uninhabitable. We sent letters, but never received any response, nor was anything done. We knew that the worst could happen at any moment."
This same person had experienced a partial collapse of her building, located at San Ignacio #214 between Lamparilla and Obrapía, just days before, according to Martí Noticias. She mentioned that no major damage occurred because they had noticed sand falling in the hallway that morning. "My husband and I weren't home. When he arrived and entered, the hallway collapsed three minutes later," she recounted.
The government authorities' response was that the place "was declared for demolition... but there are no shelters available." However, "they asked us to find somewhere else to go," she added.
The heavy rains bring a lot of worries for Cubans living in extremely unsafe housing conditions. Recently, it was reported that a building located at Tenerife 64, between Antón Recio and Figuras, in the Los Sitios neighborhood of Centro Habana, is on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
An internet user accused the Centro Habana government, located at the corner of Reina and Ángeles, of corruption, stating that its officials have never addressed the complaints of those residents who have been living among ruins for 55 years.
Understanding the Building Collapse Crisis in Havana
This FAQ section provides answers to some common questions regarding the ongoing building collapse crisis in Havana, focusing on the underlying issues and the reactions of the affected residents.
Why are building collapses frequent in Old Havana?
Building collapses are frequent in Old Havana primarily due to the deteriorated state of most structures. The situation is worsened by heavy rains and a lack of timely maintenance or governmental intervention.
What was the response of the government authorities to the recent collapse?
The government authorities declared the building for demolition but mentioned that there are no shelters available. Residents were asked to find alternative accommodations on their own.
How do residents feel about the government's handling of the situation?
Residents are frustrated and feel neglected by the government. Despite sending numerous complaints and requests, they have not received any substantial response or aid, leading them to believe corruption is involved.