Two survivors of Cuba plane crash still in critical condition

HAVANA - The two survivors of last week's airplane crash in Cuba were still in extreme critical condition, although they were showing some slight improvement, director of Havana's Calixto Garcia hospital said on Tuesday.

Both patients have regained consciousness at times, are aware of their condition, can communicate and follow certain instructions from the medical team, Dr. Carlos Alberto Martinez told reporters.

Martinez said that Mailen Diaz, 19, remained on mechanical ventilation but was progressing in terms of hemodynamic and systemic stability.

"She has not had any new complications and maintains neurological function," he said.

Today, Diaz will be evaluated for a femur fracture she sustained to ascertain its severity.

"She continues to be in extreme critical condition with high risk of complications and a guarded prognosis," he said.

Meanwhile, Emiley Sanchez, 39, remained under mechanical ventilation, was hemodynamically stable and a thoracic drainage was being evaluated.

"Enteral nutrition (feeding tube) will be introduced according to her tolerance and a new treatment for the injuries to her upper limbs will be evaluated," he added.

However, Sanchez' outlook remained unfavorable since she sustained burns to 41 percent of her body.

Martinez also expressed his condolences to the family of Grettel Landrove, the 23-year-old who survived the crash but passed away on Monday.

A Boeing 737 plane, owned by Mexican company Damojh and leased by Cubana de Aviacion, crashed on Friday near Jose Marti International Airport in Havana with 113 people on board.