Rescuers in Havana searched on Saturday for survivors of the explosion at the historic Hotel Saratoga, which was due to reopen to guests on Tuesday after undergoing a renovation.

The blast was apparently caused by a natural gas leak.

Of the 22 people who have been identified, 18 lived in the capital and four were from elsewhere in Cuba, Orestes Llanez, coordinator of the Havana city government told the official Cubadebate news site.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish president, said on Twitter that a Spanish tourist was among the dead and that another Spaniard was seriously injured.

Cuban authorities had not provided details on the tourist's death.

Photographs show severe damage to the multistorey building, with some of the walls blown away exposing interior rooms and clouds of dust billowing into the sky.

Dr Julio Guerra Izquierdo, chief of hospital services at the Ministry of Health, said at least 74 people had been injured.

Among them were 14 children, according to a tweet from the office of Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Mexican president.

The hotel in the Old Havana neighbourhood was remodelled by a British company after the fall of the Soviet Union and is popular among visiting government officials and celebrities.

The UK Foreign Office said: "We are aware of an explosion in Havana and are in contact with the Cuban authorities to establish further details. The embassy remains available to assist any British nationals impacted by the explosion."

Yazira de la Caridad, a mother of two, said the explosion shook her home a block from the hotel.

"The whole building moved. I thought it was an earthquake," she said.

"I've still got my heart in my hand."

Police cordoned off the area as firefighters and ambulance crews worked inside and a school next door was evacuated.

According to the Healthy Holiday Company, a travel agency, deluxe rooms at the hotel costs £400 to £598 a person for a three-night stay.

The luxury hotel contains bars, restaurants, a spa, gym and rooftop pool, according to its website.