Tragic Multi-Vehicle Collision in Holguín Claims Child's Life and Leaves Many Injured

A tragic road accident unfolded on Wednesday night along the highway to Guardalavaca in Holguín province, resulting in several injuries and the confirmed death of at least one child. As of now, the exact number of injured remains uncertain.

The crash, which occurred on a straight stretch near the Rafael Freyre checkpoint, involved a Transtur bus, a Willy jeep, and a horse-drawn cart. Harrowing images shared on social media displayed the wrecked state of the jeep.

"Multi-vehicle accident on Guardalavaca road in Holguín! It happened on the stretch before the checkpoint! A bus, a Willy, and a cart are involved, with multiple victims!" initially reported the moderator of the Facebook group “Accidentes Buses y Camiones.”

Rolando Guerra Machín, the administrator of the “El Purial Holguín” group, later confirmed the incident occurred “around midnight,” mentioning “several victims,” although specifics on the injured or deceased were not provided.

Eyewitnesses and locals indicated the accident resulted in the death of a 10-year-old child. “The deceased child was named Aron,” shared a distressed user. Additionally, reports surfaced about the critical condition of the bus driver, although no official updates have been released on his status.

Regarding the involved bus, La Tijera news portal identified it as a Transtur vehicle, often referred to by locals as "the hotel bus." The Holguín–Guardalavaca highway is heavily trafficked by tourist buses due to its connection with the northern coastal hotel hub.

Numerous online users have expressed support for the affected families and demanded immediate action. "God, please watch over them, they are wonderful neighbors and friends," one user pleaded, while another added, "They're my neighbors, may God protect them and ensure they're okay." However, precise details on the number or condition of those injured remain elusive.

Residents frequently blame the presence of horse-drawn carts on the road, especially at night without lights, as a common cause of accidents in the area. “This is due to the cart, they're always on that road, and now we see the consequences,” one user commented. Another added, “The carts are definitely at fault for lacking lights or visible signals...”

The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the poor road conditions, lack of lighting, and the unregulated use of the highway by animal-drawn vehicles. “Holguín is a mess when it comes to parks,” remarked Fernando García in a viral post.

Others pointed out the lack of enforcement: “These carts roam at any hour of the night, many without lights, and you only see them when it's too late.” The narrow, winding nature of the Guardalavaca-Holguín road was also highlighted, noted as a constant danger, particularly for those driving tourist routes.

The tragedy has led to calls for decisive action from traffic authorities and local governments. “These accidents are not unavoidable; they're the result of negligence,” concluded another commentator.

As this report concludes, many questions remain about the accident, particularly the total number of injured and the potential causes.

Recently, official reports indicate that up to the end of April, Cuba experienced 2,377 traffic accidents, marking a reduction of 150 incidents compared to the same period in 2024. Despite fewer accidents, fatalities have risen.

According to Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the PNR's Traffic Specialized Organ, 91% of accidents are attributed to human error, notably distracted driving, failing to yield, and speeding, which accounts for 21% of deaths. Sundays and Tuesdays report the highest fatalities, particularly between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

There has been a 25% increase in deaths involving motorcycles and mopeds, now constituting over half of the incidents. Authorities have issued more than 235,000 fines this year.

Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila acknowledged the unsatisfactory outcomes and called for enhanced road safety education and increased alcohol testing on public roads.