A tragic lightning strike claimed the lives of three young Cubans and injured four others in the rural area of Cupey, located in Moa municipality, Holguín Province. The devastating incident took place on Friday when a powerful electrical discharge struck near the entrance of the settlement, resulting in fatalities and several injured individuals, some with serious injuries.
Journalist Yulieska Hernández García reported that the deceased were transported to the Pathological Anatomy Department of the Guillermo Luis Fernández Hernández-Baquero General Teaching Hospital. There, identification procedures were underway with family members and neighbors who witnessed the tragedy.
Local authorities, including Moa's Party Secretary Yiganis Cruz Martínez, other Municipal Bureau members, vice-mayors from the Administration Council, and officials from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), arrived at both the hospital and the scene to coordinate response actions and support the families.
Injured Individuals: Receiving Treatment in Moa
Aside from the fatalities, four additional individuals were admitted to Moa's hospital with varying degrees of injuries from the lightning strike:
- Yuxander Robles Robles (El Jobo de Sagua de Tánamo): Experienced body tremors and numbness in feet. Currently stabilized.
- Irelemis Ortiz del Rosario (Yamanigüey, Moa): Numbness in upper and lower limbs. Now stabilized.
- Lisbeth Pajan Silot (La Playa, Moa): Loss of consciousness and eye abrasions. Under medical care.
- Dantry Revé Quiala (Sagua de Tánamo): Abrasions on left knee and right ankle. Stabilized.
A Year Marked by Fatal Lightning Incidents in Cuba
The unfortunate event in Cupey adds to a series of deadly lightning incidents in Cuba this year. Here's a chronological overview of significant occurrences:
- June – Bauta, Artemisa: Two teenagers, aged 13 and 16, died while playing soccer outdoors during a thunderstorm. On the same day, a three-year-old girl drowned in Playa Baracoa.
- August – Manicaragua, Villa Clara: Three teenagers died and a minor was injured by lightning during an afternoon storm.
- August – Colón, Matanzas: A 42-year-old woman was killed by a lightning strike while working in agricultural fields near the La Luisa community.
- September – City of Holguín: A man died after a lightning strike on his home's terrace when a beam he was handling accidentally touched high-voltage wires.
Additionally, in July, a group of young people narrowly escaped a lightning strike while playing soccer in the rain in Ciego de Ávila. Meteorologist Frank Fernández Castañeda described the event as a "recklessness that could cost lives."
Previous Lightning Tragedy in Moa
Despite this year's alarming incidents, Moa had already experienced a tragic loss in May 2023 when a lightning strike near the Empresa de Servicios a la Unión del Níquel (ESUNI) injured seven people initially. Ultimately, Dunielquis Fonseca Borges, an Economic Management specialist at ESUNI, succumbed to her injuries.
Lightning Fatalities: A Concerning Trend
According to a study by the Institute of Geodesy and Astronomy (IGA), thunderstorms have caused at least 1,892 deaths in Cuba between 1987 and 2023, averaging 51 deaths annually. While there has been a decreasing trend (69 deaths per year in the 90s, 56 in the 2000s, and 37 in the 2010s), the risks remain significant.
Master of Science Neobil Vega Batista, head of the Instrumental and Technological Development Department at the IGA, warned that "the damages extend beyond human loss, encompassing complex economic impacts that are difficult to quantify."
Since 2024, institutions such as the IGA, the Institute of Meteorology, the University of Havana, the Fire Department, and the Fire Protection Agency (APCI) have been participating in an Early Warning System and vulnerability study, aiming to mitigate the devastating effects of these natural phenomena.
As of this report's closing, the identities of the three individuals who perished in Moa on Friday due to the lightning strike have not been disclosed.
Key Questions About Lightning Hazards in Cuba
What measures are being taken in Cuba to prevent lightning-related incidents?
Cuban institutions have implemented an Early Warning System and continue studying vulnerabilities to reduce the impact of lightning strikes.
How many lightning-related deaths have occurred in Cuba over the years?
Between 1987 and 2023, there have been at least 1,892 lightning-related deaths in Cuba, with an average of 51 deaths per year.
Who are some of the notable victims of lightning strikes in Cuba in 2025?
Notable incidents include the deaths of teenagers in Bauta, Artemisa, and Manicaragua, Villa Clara, as well as a 42-year-old woman in Colón, Matanzas.