Havana, October 5 (RHC) -- The leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (CC-PCC) and president of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel sent floral tributes Thursday to the two rescuers who died in the collapse of a building in Old Havana.

The solemn tribute of the Cuban government and people was for First Lieutenant Yoandra Suarez Lopez (40 years old) and fighter Luis Alejandro Llerena Martinez (23 years old), who lost their lives on Tuesday during the rescue work after the collapse of a multi-family building at 362 Lamparilla Street between Villegas and Aguacate.

The merits of both rescuers were highlighted during the ceremony led by the member of the Political Bureau of the PCC and head of the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), Major General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez.

Suarez Lopez was the only woman in the country in the position of first rescue technician; she held two decorations for distinguished service in the Minint, and the medal for 10 years of uninterrupted service in that institution.

Likewise, the exemplary woman had been decorated with the Medal for Bravery during service, awarded by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, for her outstanding work after the explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, in May 2022.

Llerena Martínez was also awarded the Medal for Bravery for his performance in the large-scale fire that broke out on August 5, 2022 at the Supertanqueros Base in the western province of Matanzas.

The affection and respect he received from his comrades, as well as his courage, put to the test in the dangerous and humane mission of snatching human beings from death, were highlighted in this young combatant.

During the collapse of the building, Ramón Páez, 79 years old, who lived there, also died. His body was found in the rubble several hours after the building collapsed.