A building collapse in the Regla municipality of Havana on Monday night left a nine-year-old girl trapped under the debris and injured several people, including two elderly individuals with heart conditions. The incident occurred at 459 Agramonte Street, between Millar and Agustín García.
According to a Facebook post by user La Tijera, the young girl sustained minor injuries to her head, an eye, and her leg. Her mother suffered more severe injuries, affecting her spine, shoulders, knees, and a foot. There were also reports of two elderly individuals with ischemic heart disease, and one person suffered a severe myocardial infarction.
Artist Saúl Manuel shared on Facebook that, despite calls to the fire department, no assistance arrived. Furthermore, the municipal government has not provided adequate solutions, offering affected families only substandard rooms without windows, electricity, or basic clean-up, as their only option.
Another collapse was reported in Centro Habana by La Tijera. A partially collapsed building, declared uninhabitable and irreparable years ago, located at 79 Mercado Street between Santa Marta and Arroyo, trapped an elderly man and his 10-year-old son after an entire wall fell on their home. Part of the structure remains precariously hanging, posing a further risk of collapse.
Residents have been told by the Municipal Government and Housing Directorate that they must remove the dangerous wall themselves, claiming they "lack the means" to do so. This response has been criticized as irresponsible, given the high risk involved, which should be managed by trained professionals.
The elderly man and his son have been unable to leave or purchase food for over 24 hours, as debris continues to block their entrance. Families in the building have been waiting over seven years to be relocated, with official promises yet to be fulfilled.
Neighbors argue that this collapse highlights the prolonged neglect many buildings in Havana suffer, where thousands live in constant danger of structural failures. They assert that the situation underscores a lack of political will and resources to support the most vulnerable.
This incident occurred just days after another tragedy: the death of a five-month-old baby in the Cerro municipality. The infant drowned when a wall collapsed during heavy rains, and floodwaters violently entered the home, snatching the baby from his mother's arms, despite rescue efforts.
Activists and locals warn that these events result from the severe structural deterioration of buildings, lack of maintenance, and absence of preventive actions by authorities. Each rainy season turns numerous homes into deadly traps. These tragic scenes in Regla, Cerro, and Centro Habana reignite discussions on the state's responsibility to protect its citizens from preventable risks. As families demand urgent solutions, indifference and neglect continue to claim lives amid an unrelenting housing crisis.
Understanding the Crisis in Havana's Housing Structures
What caused the building collapse in Regla?
The building collapse in Regla was due to structural deterioration and neglect, which are common issues in many parts of Havana.
How has the government responded to these collapses?
The government has been criticized for offering inadequate solutions, such as substandard temporary housing, and for failing to provide timely assistance during emergencies.
What are the consequences of the housing crisis in Havana?
The housing crisis in Havana leads to dangerous living conditions, with many residents at risk of injury or death from structural collapses, especially during heavy rains.