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Two people were injured due to a collapse that occurred on Saturday afternoon in a residential building located in the San Isidro community, in the municipality of Habana Vieja.
The Cuban Rocío Callol, a resident of the collapsed building, reported on Facebook that the collapse occurred at 5:30 PM at Compostela 819. As a result of the collapse, the neighboring residence at Compostela 817 was affected, where two people were injured.
The images inserted by the Havana resident document the extent of the damage and the state of destruction of the building, with exposed rebar and columns already collapsed.
Without offering a solution to the critical state of the site, the authorities who arrived in the area after the incident asked them to "relax," despite the fact that the residents have been warning about the danger they live in for years.
"We received a response from a Major of the PNR who arrived at the scene to restore order, saying: 'you need to relax with us because in the end none of our houses are falling down, we are here to help you' (...) with a threatening tone and extreme arrogance, expressed Callol."
The woman states that this is not the first time a collapse has occurred in the building. Reports on the condition of the house date back to 2007: "Since then, the technical construction status of the building has been declared as Poor and is accompanied by a demolition order; however, to this day, no solution has been provided for the problem."
In the building eight family units reside that have seen pieces of the site collapse over the past 18 years. Recently, the internet user warns, collapses have increased: "It logically tends to worsen."
In her complaint, she states that when a collapse occurs, the authorities provide "empty solutions," and although neighbors come forward to report the case to the Government of Old Havana, Housing Office, SECONS, no one has offered them an alternative.
Must there be a fatality for action to be taken? "Where should our complaints be directed?" Callol wonders, hoping that his post will be shared and that a solution can be found for the crisis.
Also this Saturday, it was reported that at least five homes suffered partial collapses in the Wajay neighborhood, in the Boyeros municipality of the capital.
Various reports on social media indicate that the wooden and tiled roofs of the building portals and some pieces of interior coverings in the houses have collapsed.
So far, the exact causes of the collapse have not been clarified. However, it is mentioned that the houses had been at risk of collapse for some time, but authorities did not allow repairs because it is a "heritage" area.
Frequently Asked Questions about Building Collapses in Cuba
What happened in the recent building collapse in Old Havana?
Two people were injured after the collapse of a building in the San Isidro popular council, in Old Havana. The collapse also affected the neighboring house and exposed the precarious structural conditions of the building, which had been declared in a state of poor technical condition since 2007.
What is the Cuban government's response to the collapses?
The authorities, upon arriving at the scene after the incident, did not provide concrete solutions and asked those affected to "calm down," downplaying the severity of the situation. The lack of attention and solutions from the government exacerbates the problem of collapses, which are recurrent on the island due to insufficient investment and maintenance in infrastructure.
Why are building collapses frequent in Cuba?
Building collapses in Cuba are common due to the deterioration of infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and investment from the government. Many buildings, especially in Havana, have gone decades without proper repairs, posing a constant risk to their residents. Furthermore, the solutions proposed by the government are often insufficient or arrive too late.
What measures have the Cuban authorities taken to prevent future collapses?
So far, no effective measures have been implemented by the authorities to prevent future collapses. Although they have announced the drafting of a new Housing Law to address the issue, the lack of investment and planning remains a significant obstacle. The population continues to face risks due to government inaction.
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