Death toll reaches 6 in Cuba tornado disaster

(190129) -- HAVANA, Jan. 29, 2019 (Xinhua) -- People walk past debris in the tornado-affected area in the municipality of Regla in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 28, 2019. A powerful tornado passed through the Cuban capital on Sunday night, leaving three people dead and 172 others wounded. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

Havana,  The death toll from a devastating tornado that tore through Cuba’s capital Havana a week ago reached six, health officials said.

The toll rose after two people who had been seriously injured by the tornado died of their injuries, Health Minister Jose Angel Portal told a cabinet meeting presided by President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

During the meeting, officials followed up on the ongoing recovery efforts, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

According to authorities, 1,238 homes suffered some damage, including 347 that were completely destroyed.

A grade 4 on the 5-degree Fujita scale of intensity, this worst tornado in Cuba in 80 years damaged homes, knocked down power lines and overturned cars, leaving nearly 200 people injured.

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