Balcony Collapse in Havana Sparks Outrage: "A Miracle No One Was Hurt"

The persistent state neglect and structural decay of Old Havana's historic buildings continue to endanger residents. On Tuesday, a balcony from the Macera building on Teniente Rey Street, between Cuba and San Ignacio, partially collapsed, crashing onto a parked vehicle near several ATMs. Despite the incident occurring in one of the busiest areas of the historic center, no injuries were reported, though it caused significant alarm among bystanders.

A report from CubaNet highlights that the building, erected in 1931 and overseen by agencies responsible for the “Master Plan for the Restoration of Old Havana,” displayed obvious deterioration. A contributor to the media outlet, who recorded the collapse on video, noted that residents have attempted to conduct their own repairs on the most damaged areas. However, authorities have hindered these efforts by issuing fines ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 pesos, arguing that, as heritage properties, interventions require official approval.

Eyewitness Reactions Capture the Scene

In a video shared on social media, an onlooker can be heard exclaiming, "The balcony just fell, look, it landed on the car. It's a miracle it didn't kill someone." The witness also questions the driver of the damaged car, asking, "Who will pay for that now? Do you have insurance?" To which the driver replies, "Yes, of course, the car is new."

The balcony was positioned directly above a busy ATM station frequented by dozens each day. Residents reported that previous collapses from the same facade had injured pedestrians and damaged parked vehicles. "These balconies have fallen several times, injuring people passing by or waiting in line for the ATMs," recounted the contributor who filmed the event.

Public Outrage Over Decaying Infrastructure

The video sparked a wave of comments on social media, many expressing fear and anger over the deteriorating state of Havana's buildings and the inaction of the authorities. A user remarked, "Everything falls apart except what should," while another added, "It's a miracle no one died; there are always people around the ATMs." The criticisms were largely directed at the government's neglect: "In Havana, you don't know whether to walk on the sidewalk or the street; it's dangerous, and if you fix anything yourself, inspectors show up with fines."

Some comments echoed resignation and sarcasm: "Canel insurance will cover that," "In Cuba, the only insurance is to run on time," or "Communism doesn't cover those damages, that's collateral damage." Despite some joking tones, most agreed the incident could have been tragic. "If you walk on the street, cars might hit you; if you walk on the sidewalks, it's the collapsing buildings," another person noted.

Historic Buildings at Risk

In Old Havana, the collapse of balconies, facades, and buildings is commonplace. Official figures from 2019 indicated that over 850 buildings in Cuba were critically damaged, with 696 located in the capital. These collapses have resulted in numerous casualties in recent years.

Last November, a woman and her son were crushed to death when their home on Compostela Street, also in Old Havana, collapsed. Days later, neighbors scavenged through the rubble "out of necessity," reflecting the poverty and institutional neglect. In September, another person died in a collapse on Sol Street, once again in Old Havana.

These incidents add to earlier tragedies, such as January 27, 2020, when a balcony collapse killed three young girls in the Jesús María neighborhood, becoming a symbol of the neglect of Havana's housing stock. Residents of the Macera building claim they have repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by the deteriorating balconies in the area, yet authorities have failed to take preventive measures.