Three individuals hospitalized following Wednesday’s train accident in Matanzas Province are reportedly out of life-threatening danger, according to the state-run newspaper, Periódico Girón. The incident involved National Train No. 14, which was traveling the Guantánamo-Havana route and experienced a partial derailment near the Bellamar Caves road.
Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the First Secretary of the Provincial Committee of the PCC, and Cuba's Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, visited the injured at the Faustino Pérez Clinical Surgical Hospital. Three out of the five injured remain admitted there.
While three individuals are still under medical surveillance at the hospital, two others were treated at the scene and did not require further hospitalization, the media outlet reported. The patients include Lusmery Yedra Flores, a train stewardess with 40 years of experience who injured her knee while attempting to close a door to safeguard passengers; Noelis Walwyn, another stewardess who experienced a hypertensive crisis after a minor impact; and Amnelis Rodríguez González, a passenger who sustained head and elbow bruises during the fall.
Another passenger, Dairys Espinosa Samora from Havana, felt unwell after disembarking the train. Though sent to the hospital, she showed no visible injuries, as noted in the report. A fifth passenger received medical attention at the accident site.
Gretel Robaina Rodríguez, the Deputy Director of Medical Assistance, confirmed that all patients are showing signs of positive recovery. The accident took place around 2:30 p.m., affecting approximately 200 meters of track. Seven carriages derailed, but none overturned. The train's engineer activated the emergency brake upon noticing an issue with the tracks, following protocol.
A total of 820 passengers were transported by bus to the Railway Terminal, where they were provided with snacks and logistical support, according to the regime. Authorities have yet to disclose definitive reasons for the accident, though potential failures in the decrepit railway infrastructure are being considered.
Recently, another train accident in Baraguá, Ciego de Ávila, happened when a passenger train collided with a private car attempting to cross the tracks. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries in that incident.
Rail accidents in Cuba are often attributed to inadequate signage at railway crossings, human error, and the deterioration of the railway infrastructure. Additionally, the lack of maintenance and external factors such as vandalism also contribute to these occurrences.
Understanding Train Accidents in Cuba
What caused the train derailment in Matanzas?
The exact cause of the Matanzas train derailment is still under investigation, but preliminary considerations include potential failures in the aging railway infrastructure.
How many passengers were affected by the Matanzas train accident?
The accident affected a total of 820 passengers, who were subsequently transported to the Railway Terminal for further assistance.
Are train accidents common in Cuba?
Yes, train accidents in Cuba are relatively common due to factors such as poor signaling at crossings, human error, deteriorating infrastructure, and sometimes vandalism.