This past Friday, a partial collapse occurred at the El Domingón market in Güines, located in Cuba's Mayabeque province. The incident took place in the section designated for self-employed vendors, resulting in seven individuals becoming trapped. The collapse happened at the front of the building, prompting an immediate response from emergency services, as reported by "Indira La O Herrera" on Facebook.
Firefighters from Command 4, along with members of the Cuban Red Cross and the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), swiftly arrived on the scene and successfully evacuated those trapped by creating an improvised exit at the rear of the facility. Local authorities, including Deputy Mayor Yarima Teresa Matienzo Fresneda, confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries, only material damage to the building's roof.
El Domingón Market is adjacent to the Bank of Credit and Commerce (BANDEC) and the El Criollo sales point of La Espiga store. According to officials, these neighboring establishments did not experience any structural damage or disruptions in their operations. Authorities urged the public to remain disciplined and avoid the area to prevent further accidents.
In the coming hours, a team from the Community Architect will assess the extent of the damage and release an official report. This incident follows a similar collapse in August at the Café Boulevard, where a worker lost their life and several people were trapped. The upper floor of the market, used as a housing unit, had long-standing structural issues that were exacerbated by recent heavy rains, adding moisture to an already weakened century-old structure.
Questions About El Domingón Market Collapse
What caused the partial collapse at El Domingón market?
The partial collapse was attributed to structural weaknesses in the century-old building, worsened by recent heavy rains that added moisture to the already fragile structure.
Were there any injuries or casualties during the collapse?
No, there were no injuries or casualties reported. All trapped individuals were successfully evacuated.
What measures are being taken following the incident?
A team from the Community Architect will evaluate the damage and provide an official report. Meanwhile, authorities have advised the public to avoid the area to prevent further accidents.