Distributed by The Cuba Free Press Project.

Havana, December 24, 1997, Cuba Press

Several Deaths in the Havana Due to Buildings Crumbling. By Ana Luisa Lopez Baeza, Cuba Press.

Three deaths, two severely injured and another ten with minor injuries have been reported by the official media as the outcome of the partial destruction of the Juan Luis Sernas Home for the Elderly, located in #114 Street, between 41 and 43, in the municipality of Marianao.

Several of the neighbors told Cuba Press that the disaster had been expected since the building had been subjected to several thefts of cement blocks and other construction materiel, at the hands of people in need to repair their own homes or to re-sell in the black market.

In spite of the condition of the building, its basement served as a place of worship for the Evangelist Church, whose pastor, Santiago Aguilera, was listed in grave condition on the evening of December 25. Others of the same church reported as deceased were: Luis Marquez Moral, 27 years old; Carlos Olazabal Gonzalez, 29 years old; and Radames Montero Paqueco, 28 years old.

The collapse of the building took place in the presence of several Communist Party leaders, as well as, officials from Public Health Department and the Interior Ministry. Some members of the Fire Department were trapped as the building collapsed when a second section fell down. Neighbors have stated that a stretcher bearer, a physician and a custodian from the center to protect tourist's places were also trapped by the second collapse.

The same sources have pointed out to the possibility that more could be rescued from the debris if the search continued because the collapse took place at 11 a.m., approximately, a time when there are many people trying to take some of the blocks from the building.

The official press identifies as the cause of the building's collapse the weakening of the structure caused by the taking of the cement blocks and other construction materials. However, many of those gathered in the area identified, as the main cause of the accident, the level of neglect experienced by this, and other buildings in the capital city.

For some, this tragedy symbolizes some type of divine justice, because many of the religious icons had been destroyed and were now part of the debris of the chapel. The fact that it took place during Christmas also enhances the popular feelings of superstition.

The end Ana Luisa Lopez Baeza, Cuba Press.