The partial collapse of a building in Havana was recorded by locals who witnessed the critical moment when a balcony fell from the structure. The video, shared on Instagram by the user identified as The Spartan Vlog, captures the moment the balcony of a dilapidated building crumbled and fell onto the sidewalk, watched by several onlookers.
"I always say in my videos that when you walk the streets of Havana, you must pay close attention to the roof above you and, in many cases, avoid walking on the sidewalk. There's less risk of being hit by a car than having a balcony fall on your head," the user mentioned in his post.
Although the exact address of the building is unknown, the incident seems to have occurred more than two weeks ago on a street in either Centro Habana or Old Havana. The building appears to be uninhabited, at least on its upper floors.
Of modernist style, with lobed lintels, large doors and windows, and traces of exquisite stonework, ironwork, and carpentry, the deterioration of this emblematic building, dating back to the early 20th or late 19th century, seems irreversible.
Like thousands of other structures from its era, this building has fallen victim to the urban and heritage crimes committed by the Cuban regime. The regime's disastrous housing and architectural conservation policies have led to overcrowding in dilapidated buildings and the collapse of much of the country's urban heritage, including the capital.
Unlike previous incidents that ended in tragedy, this collapse did not result in any loss of life or injuries, even though the sidewalk was open to pedestrians and there were no signs or supports indicating the danger of collapse.
As the Instagram post author noted, falling balconies in Cuba pose a significant risk to pedestrians.
Recent Incidents Highlight Building Deterioration
In late June, three people were injured when a balcony collapsed onto a café in a busy area of El Vedado. The unfortunate accident occurred at the café El Tablazo, located on 1st Street, between C and D.
In April, the collapse of an eave on San Lázaro and Gervasio streets in Centro Habana caused several balconies on the first floor of dilapidated buildings on the bustling avenue to collapse, as reported by CubaNet.
At the beginning of August, the staircase of a multifamily building collapsed in Old Havana, leaving several residents stranded, according to the Municipal Administration Council (CAM) on social media. The official source indicated that there were no fatalities, although it did not clarify whether there were any injuries. The building, located at Villegas 256 between Obrapía and Lamparilla streets, collapsed around 8:10 p.m. (local time).
The brief official note also did not mention the number of family units or the total number of people affected by the collapse. It only stated that firefighters evacuated the "units" left stranded.
At the end of July, the case of Aracelia González Díaz, a Cuban mother living in fear of losing her family if the house she resides in collapses completely, was made public. Her home, located in the Cerro municipality in Havana, has suffered two partial collapses and could fall at any moment.
In an interview with CubaNet, González denounced—and showed on camera—the critical condition of her home on Churruca Street between Daoiz and Velarde, which has experienced partial collapses and is at constant risk of falling apart.
Earlier that month, a 60-year-old man died due to a collapse in the Guanabacoa municipality in Havana, as confirmed by Cuban authorities and the victim's neighbors. The news was shared on social media by the Municipal Administration Council, stating that the façade collapse of building number 61 severely injured a neighbor named Miguel, who later died due to the severity of his injuries.
The official post did not provide further details about the incident, but several residents in the area reported that the event left "all the neighbors in a very bad state," highlighting the poor housing conditions in that area.
In late July, a social media post announcing the upcoming opening of the Hotel K23, a skyscraper owned by the GAESA group, sparked a wave of critical and outraged comments. Many users denounced the stark contrast between the promotion of a business owned by the Cuban regime's elite and the dire economic and social reality of Cuba.
The lack of investment in hospitals, schools, medicines, housing, and public infrastructure was criticized by many users. Others pointed out the destruction of heritage buildings and homes in the capital or the piles of garbage accumulating on the streets. Most considered the hotel's construction an insult to the Cuban people.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana's Buildings
Given the recurring incidents of building collapses in Havana, here are some important questions and answers to understand the situation better.
Why are so many buildings collapsing in Havana?
The primary cause is the lack of maintenance and investment in housing and infrastructure by the Cuban regime. Poor policies and neglect have led to the deterioration of many buildings.
What areas in Havana are most affected by building collapses?
Centro Habana and Old Havana are among the most affected areas due to their high concentration of old and neglected buildings.
What measures are being taken to prevent building collapses?
There are no significant measures being taken by the Cuban authorities to prevent these incidents. The lack of proper policies and resources continues to put residents at risk.
How does the construction of new hotels contrast with the housing crisis?
The construction of luxury hotels like the Hotel K23 highlights the disparity and misallocation of resources in Cuba. While the regime invests in tourism, essential infrastructure and housing for residents remain neglected.