Collapse of decaying building kills 3 in Havana

From the Associated Press

HAVANA — Cuban officials say a decaying residential building has collapsed in a densely packed neighborhood of Havana, killing three people and injuring six.

A message read on the midday state newscast Wednesday says the Central Havana building that was home to several families crumbled Tuesday night. Four of the injured were hospitalized.

Central Havana is full of aged structures considered dangerous and uninhabitable. But because of a severe housing shortage, many families continue to live in cramped conditions in unstable homes.

Cuba’s housing stock is plagued by years of neglected upkeep, scarce building materials and the punishing Caribbean rain and sun.