Havana, Cuba.- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel asked officials to speed up recovery efforts in Havana after the destructive passage of a tornado, during a Council of Ministers meeting whose details were released on Wednesday.

According to official sources, the president called during the meeting held on Tuesday night to shorten deadlines in actions to face the damage caused on Sunday by the phenomenon in the municipalities of Regla, Guanabacoa, Diez de Octubre and San Miguel del Padron.

He also urged recovery and analysis of the damages, and to be very sensitive in dealing with the affected people.

According to Diaz-Canel, the principle that should prevail is that everything reconstructed is ‘better, stronger and prettier than before.’

After addressing the Council of Ministers meeting, National Civil Defense Chief of Staff Ramon Pardo said that the number of deaths due to the meteorological event remains in four.

In the case of those injured by the January 27 tornado, Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal said that about 74 people remain hospitalized, 12 of them in serious condition.

Regarding material damages, about 1,286 houses are damaged, 1,238 of which have been visited, nearly 123 houses totally collapsed and 625 are partially damaged.

Havana authorities informed during the meeting that the provision of roofs and windows, among other materials, for the affected people will start on Wednesday.

Regarding cleaning debris, they assured that Guanabacoa and Regla should be totally clean on Friday; while Diez de Octubre, considered the most affected region, will be ready during the weekend.

About 136 thousand persons continue without electric service, but teams of workers are gradually restoring power lines.