A serious incident occurred in Guanabacoa last Saturday when a 54-year-old man fell into a roughly three-meter-deep hole, which was excavated and left unmarked by the state-run company, Havana Water. The accident happened near the well-known Shell Roundabout.
The victim, identified as Colliro Ichi Jiménez, was walking in the area around 10:00 PM when the edge of the hole gave way, causing him to fall in. It was a dark night, and residents quickly alerted the Regla Fire Department, who responded and successfully rescued him alive.
Images shared on the Facebook page 'La Tijera' show the pit lacking any protective barriers, sparking outrage among locals who describe the situation as a blatant example of institutional negligence.
Adding to the issue was the delay of emergency services. Despite requests, no ambulance arrived, forcing a firefighter paramedic to administer an IV to stabilize the injured man.
At a nearby clinic, initial care was refused on the grounds that he wasn't transported by ambulance. Eventually, after being admitted and examined, he was diagnosed with a hip dislocation and a head fracture.
A relative of the victim refuted claims that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. "He's my uncle and he wasn't drunk; the edge crumbled, and he slipped in that very dark area," Yu Ling Sing stated in comments on the post.
The incident has sparked severe criticism of both Havana Water and the healthcare system for their disregard for public safety and the apparent indifference shown in a situation that could have been fatal for a Guanabacoa resident.
Havana Water's Troubling Track Record of Negligence
This incident is not an isolated case. In recent years, Havana Water has been repeatedly criticized for digging trenches and holes without proper signage or protective measures, leading to numerous accidents.
In May 2023, a visually impaired elderly man fell into an unmarked hole by the company in Old Havana, causing significant community outrage.
Later, in October, a truck fell into another similar pit, and in August 2024, the company's work caused a major accident in the capital.
Previous incidents also highlight the same negligence: in May 2022, a truck got stuck in a trench dug by the company, and in October of the same year, a car fell into a large, unprotected sinkhole on a public street.
These events, documented by CiberCuba, reveal an institutional irresponsibility pattern that endangers both drivers and pedestrians. Rather than being rare occurrences, accidents linked to Havana Water's unfinished works seem to have become a constant threat to public safety across various municipalities in the capital.
Understanding the Risks of Unmarked Excavations in Havana
What caused the accident in Guanabacoa?
The accident was caused by a man falling into a three-meter-deep hole left unmarked by Havana Water near the Shell Roundabout.
How did the local community react to the incident?
The local community expressed outrage, describing the lack of protective barriers as institutional negligence and criticizing Havana Water and emergency services for their inadequate response.
What is the history of negligence associated with Havana Water?
Havana Water has a history of leaving unmarked excavations, leading to several accidents involving both pedestrians and vehicles over the past few years.