Families Left Homeless After Building Collapse in Central Havana

With furniture, household appliances, and clothing piled in a hallway in Havana, multiple families spent the night outdoors following a partial collapse of a building in Central Havana. Homeless and without a clear plan for relocation, the affected residents report that the authorities have informed them there is no place to rehouse them.

The collapse, which occurred early Monday morning in a building located on Reina Street between Manrique and San Nicolás, left approximately 15 families without a home and resulted in a 75-year-old woman being hospitalized. However, the ordeal did not end with the rescue of the elderly woman; it continued as many people found themselves literally on the streets, clinging to the few belongings they managed to retrieve from their homes.

The Immediate Aftermath: A Struggle for Safety

In a video shared by CubaNet, these individuals are seen closely guarding their possessions to prevent theft or filming. The desperation is evident in their direct appeals: "Why don't they send us to the Lincoln Hotel, which is empty? I won't go to the countryside because I'll starve there," one woman lamented.

Exposing the Vulnerability of Havana's Infrastructure

The collapse underscored the fragility of buildings in Havana and highlighted the lack of protection for those who suddenly lose their homes. Instead of finding shelter, these families faced the harsh reality of sleeping on the pavement, with uncertainty as their only companion.