Carlos Rafael López Ibarra, a 33-year-old turbine operator, tragically passed away after several days of fighting for his life following a severe workplace accident at the Antonio Maceo Grajales Power Plant "Renté" in Santiago de Cuba.
The accident occurred on Sunday, August 31, around 9:30 p.m. during the startup and synchronization of generation unit No. 5. According to reports from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), a steam pipe malfunctioned, releasing high-temperature steam that resulted in burns covering 89% of López Ibarra's body.
He received immediate medical attention from the plant's medical staff and was transferred to Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas General Hospital, where he was admitted in an extremely critical condition, as confirmed by medical and provincial authorities.
Despite the severity of his injuries, official reports noted that López Ibarra showed resilience and actively cooperated with his treatment during his hospitalization. Unfortunately, on September 8, his battle ended as his death was confirmed. Communist Party authorities in Santiago de Cuba, including Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, expressed their sorrow on social media, highlighting his dedication, commitment, and responsibility towards his work.
The incident has caused a wave of shock among his coworkers and the local community in Santiago. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who followed the case, voiced on Facebook that "it's not just about power outages; it's the lives of workers that are extinguished daily due to negligence and oversight."
The plant's management stated that safety protocols were activated, and an investigation into the precise cause of the steam infrastructure failure is ongoing. This accident comes amidst frequent collapses in the National Electric System, plagued by a lack of maintenance, improvisation, and chronic technical deterioration in the country's power plants.
According to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), there were 934 workplace accidents in Cuba in 2024, resulting in 52 fatalities, an average of one death per week at the workplace.
The tragic death of Carlos Rafael López Ibarra not only puts a face to the statistics but also underscores the human cost of the ongoing collapse of Cuba's electrical system.
Understanding Workplace Safety in Cuba's Power Plants
What happened to Carlos Rafael López Ibarra at the Renté Power Plant?
Carlos Rafael López Ibarra suffered severe burns from a steam pipe malfunction, which ultimately led to his death after several days in critical condition.
What actions are being taken following the accident at the Renté Power Plant?
The plant's management has activated safety protocols and is conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the steam infrastructure failure.
How frequently do workplace accidents occur in Cuba?
In 2024, there were 934 reported workplace accidents in Cuba, resulting in 52 fatalities, averaging one death per week.