An explosion has rocked the centre of the Cuban capital, Havana, devastating the Hotel Saratoga, which is located near the National Capitol Building.
The Cuban president said that 18 people have been confirmed dead following the blast at Saratoga and that 40 more have been hospitalised with various injuries. The statement added that search and rescue efforts continue at the site.
The photos from the site of the incident show that a significant part of the building was destroyed, although most of it remains standing.
Cuban officials suspect that the explosion happened as a result of an accident. Local media outlets floated the theory that it might have happened when liquefied gas was pumped from a cistern.
First videos from the site of the incident also emerged online, showing the extent of the destruction of the Hotel Saratoga.
The hotel was originally built back in 1880, but underwent a reconstruction in 2005.