Rescuer workers remove debris from the ruins of the Hotel Saratoga, in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
In pictures: Deadly explosion at Havana hotel
Rescuer workers remove debris from the ruins of the Hotel Saratoga, in Havana, Cuba, on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 2:41 PM EDT, Sun May 8, 2022

A gas leak is thought to be the cause of a deadly explosion that destroyed a hotel in Havana, Cuba, on Friday, May 6.

At least 30 people were killed at Hotel Saratoga, and dozens more were injured.

"Everything indicates that the explosion was caused by an accident," the Cuban Presidential Office said in a tweet.

The explosion also destroyed cars and buses outside the hotel, which is in the center of the Cuban capital.

The remains of the hotel are seen following the explosion on Friday, May 6. The hotel was built at the end of the 19th century. By the 1930s, it was one of the most important hotels in the city.
The remains of the hotel are seen following the explosion on Friday, May 6. The hotel was built at the end of the 19th century. By the 1930s, it was one of the most important hotels in the city.
Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, center, and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, right, visit the site of the explosion.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, center, and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, right, visit the site of the explosion.
Alexandre Meneghini/AFP/Pool/Getty Images
Firefighters spray a tanker truck with water to cool it down as they remove it from the explosion site.
Firefighters spray a tanker truck with water to cool it down as they remove it from the explosion site.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
A person is wheeled away in the aftermath of the explosion.
A person is wheeled away in the aftermath of the explosion.
Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images
People evacuate the area where the explosion took place.
People evacuate the area where the explosion took place.
Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Rooms are exposed after the blast.
Rooms are exposed after the blast.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
Rescue workers arrive to help.
Rescue workers arrive to help.
Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images
A taxi is buried in the rubble.
A taxi is buried in the rubble.
Ramon Espinosa/AP
Pieces of metal awnings, balconies and large chunks of stone were scattered about 300 feet away from the hotel.
Pieces of metal awnings, balconies and large chunks of stone were scattered about 300 feet away from the hotel.
Patrick Oppmann/CNN