Havana, June 11 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez presided over a ceremony to honor leading actors in the rescue efforts after the Saratoga Hotel accident.

"Cuba will always be grateful for your work," said Diaz-Canel Bermudez to those who, under challenging circumstances, mobilized in the rescue efforts after the unfortunate accident of May 6.

Through a Presidential Decree, the 1st Class Olo Pantoja Medal was awarded to the chief of the Cuban Fire Brigade, First Colonel Luis Carlos Guzmán Matos, and the 2nd Class Olo Pantoja Medal to the second chief of that institution, Colonel Daniel Chávez Fujishiro, and to Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro Alfonso Álvarez, head of the Cuban Fire Brigade. Alvarez, head of the Mayabeque Fire Department.

The Medal for Courage in Service, 1st Class, was awarded to nine combatants of the Ministry of the Interior and the Labor Achievement Medal to 145 workers, 65 of them at the ceremony.

Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento,  general secretary of the Cuban Trade Union Federation (CTC) affirmed that those recognized "are an example of the infinite strength that emanates from the unity, solidarity, and humanism sown by the Revolution.

"From the most diverse positions and tasks, they fulfilled their duty with exemplary sensitivity, gallantry, and humility."

"Danger, fatigue, and sleep did not prevent them from doing so, without aspiring to any other reward than the gratitude of those who helped and the recognition of their compatriots," he said.