The properties were conceived as two-story buildings with four apartments each; they will be located in Old Havana and will be built using the Forsa system technique and assembly by pieces.

According to a report from the Cuba’s National News Agency (ACN), the study of the soil and the cleaning of the area were already undertaken with the purpose of beginning the foundation work this weekend.

Due to the explosion at the Saratoga Hotel, the buildings on 609 and 617 Prado St., 512 and 508 Zulueta St. and other adjoining buildings were damaged, affecting the citizens who reside in them.

The press release added that 22 of these families are staying at the Las Brisas Aparthotel, in Villa Panamericana, and others are staying at the homes of relatives and friends, where they are being provided with food and access to basic services.

The Saratoga Hotel, an iconic tourist establishment in Havana, partially collapsed on Friday due to an explosion when a tanker truck laden with liquefied gas was serving the facility.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, so far 43 people have been killed and 97 have been injured 97; including 17 who are in hospitals, and 37 patients who have been discharged, while specialized rescue forces continue the search for missing people.

jg/aph/acl/jfs