A train traveling from Holguín to Havana experienced a partial derailment this past Saturday around 2:05 p.m. as it approached the central station yards of the capital. According to the National Routes Facebook page, none of the 984 passengers on board Train No. 16 were injured.
The mishap occurred with locomotive No. 52557, which partially veered off the track in an area without a platform near the station's elevated bridge. The derailment impacted four wheels, prompting a swift response from railway authorities who activated safety protocols.
The train's crew and conductor adhered to established procedures, enabling passengers to disembark without incident. Initially, passengers were kept inside the coaches until safe conditions were confirmed. Support teams arrived promptly to assist both travelers and crew members.
With the aid of auxiliary locomotives, the derailed unit was re-railed and moved for inspection in a process that took just over an hour. Normal operations resumed at the Central Station afterward.
Investigating the Causes
A commission comprising specialists from the Railway Transportation Administration (RTA) and provincial authorities will investigate the technical causes behind the failure. In Cuba, train accidents remain frequent, largely due to the deteriorating infrastructure, lack of signage, human error, and inadequate maintenance, alongside external factors like vandalism. The incident underscores the pressing need for modernization of the national railway system.
Recent Railway Incidents
Just a week earlier, a train derailed in Matanzas due to a track defect, triggering an emergency state. This incident involved seven cars and damaged approximately 250 meters of railway line, highlighting the poor condition of Cuba's railway infrastructure.
Six individuals sustained injuries in the Matanzas derailment. Four were transported to the Comandante Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital, including two train attendants and a passenger with minor injuries.
Understanding Cuba's Railway Challenges
What caused the train to derail near Havana?
The derailment was caused by the train veering off the track in an area without a platform, near the station's elevated bridge.
Were there any injuries in the recent derailment near Havana?
No injuries were reported among the 984 passengers on board the train.
What steps are being taken to investigate the derailment?
A commission of specialists from the Railway Transportation Administration and provincial authorities will analyze the technical causes of the incident.
What are the broader challenges facing Cuba's railway system?
Cuba's railway system faces numerous challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, lack of signage, human error, insufficient maintenance, and vandalism, all of which highlight the urgent need for modernization.