A partial building collapse on Monday in Central Havana, specifically on Industria Street between San Rafael and San Miguel, led to three people being injured, including two children and one adult. Local authorities confirmed that the injured children were rushed to Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital, while the adult is receiving medical care at Calixto García Hospital. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far.
Photos shared on Facebook by the Centro Habana Municipal Administration Council revealed the interior devastation, with walls completely caved in, debris strewn across beds and tables, deep cracks, and support structures on the verge of giving way. Makeshift metal props were seen propping up the building's staircase to prevent further collapse.
The Centro Habana Municipal Assembly, alongside emergency teams and government officials, is on-site assessing the damage and implementing measures to safeguard human lives and property. There has been no announcement yet on whether the affected families will be evacuated or if the building will be declared uninhabitable.
This incident highlights the dire state of housing in Havana, where countless homes suffer from severe structural deterioration due to decades of neglect. Local residents voiced their concern over the constant threat of further collapses and the absence of safe housing solutions.
The Worrying Rise of Structural Failures in Central Havana
The collapse on Industria Street is just the latest in a series of structural failures that have plagued Central Havana, one of the most densely populated and severely dilapidated areas of Cuba’s capital. Earlier in September, a progressive collapse at Belascoaín #105 left dozens of families in suspense. Outrage erupted on social media over the lack of official presence following the disaster.
Just a few days later, another partial collapse on San Lázaro, between Oquendo and Márquez González, impacted 14 people amid critical blackouts caused by the collapse of the national electrical system. The incident occurred in a hallway on the first floor of a building deemed irreparable by authorities. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported, but it once again underscored the government’s failure to prevent and respond to such disasters.
In mid-August, a building collapse at the busy corner of San Rafael and Galiano, close to the recent incident, claimed the life of a Café Boulevard worker. In that case, the building’s upper floors crashed down to the ground level, trapping several people under the rubble. Neighbors reported that the building had been declared uninhabitable for years, yet preventative measures were limited to superficial repairs.
These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a pattern of century-old homes, ravaged by leaks, humidity, rain, and overpopulation, abandoned by the state. Meanwhile, public investment is funneled into hotels, leaving thousands of families to survive among ruins, constantly at risk of losing everything—or even their lives—at any moment.
Understanding the Housing Crisis in Havana
Why are building collapses frequent in Central Havana?
Building collapses are frequent in Central Havana due to decades of neglect, lack of maintenance, and overcrowding in century-old structures that are not equipped to handle such conditions.
What measures are being taken to prevent future collapses?
While some emergency measures are taken post-collapse, there is a lack of comprehensive preventative strategies. The government has been criticized for prioritizing investments in tourism over essential housing repairs.
What is the impact of these collapses on the residents?
The frequent collapses leave residents living in fear for their safety and uncertain about their future, as many are left without homes or forced to live in unsafe conditions.