This morning, a Yutong bus collided with a ZIL-130 truck on the central highway near the town of Falcón, between Placetas and Santa Clara in Villa Clara province. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles.
According to Facebook posts by users Alexander Ríos Cruz and Yoel Hidalgo, the accident occurred in the early hours when the Yutong bus struck the ZIL-130 truck. Witnesses agreed that despite the severity of the collision, no one was hurt, and the damage was restricted to the vehicles' exteriors. Hidalgo, traveling from Sancti Spíritus to Santa Clara, confirmed he witnessed the accident firsthand.
Images shared on social media depict the vehicles stopped on the road, with noticeable damage to their front ends. So far, authorities have not issued any official statements about the causes of the collision or subsequent measures to ensure road safety.
Recent Accidents Raise Concerns
On Monday, a horse-drawn cart was involved in a massive accident in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, where two buses collided, injuring 49 people, including nine minors. On Tuesday, another accident occurred at kilometer 293 of the central highway near Antón Díaz, at the entrance to Santa Clara, resulting in a man being injured and a minor being hospitalized. In this incident, a scooter lost control and overturned, causing the driver to suffer head injuries and severe pain in his right shoulder.
Witnesses reported that provincial authorities passing by the scene immediately stopped and alerted emergency services at the Arnaldo Milián Castro Provincial Hospital.
Neglected Roads and Rising Accidents
Recently, residents of Sagua la Grande in Villa Clara province have taken to social media to criticize the dire state of a road stretch that resembles an earthquake's aftermath, highlighting Cuba's neglected infrastructure. Despite control measures, road accidents remain a significant issue in Cuba. The National Commission on Road Safety reported 3,035 accidents, with 2,670 injuries and 290 deaths in Cuba by May 2025.
Contributing factors to these accidents include alcohol consumption and traffic law violations. Additionally, there is a pressing need to enforce mandatory rest for professional drivers and improve the maintenance of bridges and road signage in high-risk areas.
The widespread deterioration of vintage cars still in use, combined with the poor condition of the roads, forms a deadly mix that contributes to the increasingly fatal accidents reported across the country.
Understanding Cuba's Road Safety Challenges
What are the main causes of road accidents in Cuba?
The primary causes include alcohol consumption, traffic law violations, and the poor condition of vehicles and roads.
How many road accidents were reported in Cuba by May 2025?
There were 3,035 accidents reported, with 2,670 injuries and 290 fatalities.
How does infrastructure affect road safety in Cuba?
Neglected infrastructure, including deteriorating roads and bridges, significantly contributes to the frequency and severity of road accidents.