The staircase of a multifamily building collapsed on Thursday night in Old Havana, leaving several residents trapped, according to the Municipal Administration Council (CAM), which reported the incident on social media. The building, located at Villegas 256 between Obrapía and Lamparilla streets, collapsed around 8:10 pm.
Official sources indicated that there were no fatalities, although they did not clarify if there were any injuries as a result of the collapse. However, the independent outlet Cubanet reported that a woman was injured and mentioned that among those trapped were women, children, and even a pregnant woman.
The brief official statement did not mention the number of affected families or the total number of victims. It simply stated that firefighters evacuated the “trapped families.” Cubanet detailed that the incident occurred after the home of a man named Nelson collapsed and added that firefighters spent about an hour trying to rescue the pregnant woman inside.
According to the independent source, after a long wait, firefighters managed to rescue two minors and 11 other individuals. Residents of adjacent buildings, which also have deteriorating structures, were not evacuated as a precaution.
Recurring Collapses in Old Havana
Such collapses are frequent in Old Havana. In March, rescue teams assisted three people who were trapped inside another multifamily building in Old Havana after two of its floors collapsed. That incident occurred at San Isidro 110, between Habana and Damas streets. Several people were trapped but, fortunately, no fatalities were reported in that case either.
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Collapses in Old Havana
The frequent building collapses in Old Havana raise several questions about safety, rescue operations, and the conditions of the buildings. Here are some of the most common queries and their answers:
What caused the building collapse in Old Havana?
The collapse was caused by the deteriorating condition of the multifamily building, specifically the staircase, which gave way on Thursday night.
Were there any injuries or fatalities in the recent collapse?
Official sources reported no fatalities, but the independent outlet Cubanet mentioned that a woman was injured. Among those trapped were women, children, and a pregnant woman.
How many people were rescued from the building?
Firefighters managed to rescue two minors and 11 other individuals from the collapsed building.