Truck Overturns in Collision with P-7 Bus in Havana's San Miguel del Padrón

On Friday morning, a traffic accident at the entrance of San Francisco de Paula, located in the San Miguel del Padrón district, resulted in a container truck overturning after colliding with a P-7 route bus. Fortunately, no casualties or serious injuries were reported, according to eyewitnesses at the scene.

Images shared on social media by La Tijera News showed two state-operated cranes working to lift the heavy container that lay across the road. The photos also captured a significant presence of onlookers and pedestrians, as well as police cordoning off the area to facilitate rescue and towing operations.

Challenges on Cuba's Roads

The collision took place in a high-traffic area, particularly during the morning rush when workers and students head towards the city center. Residents consider this section of the road hazardous due to its narrowness, poor lighting, and lack of proper road signs. Locals pointed out the notorious potholes on the Carretera Central, just meters from the accident site, where the deteriorating pavement poses a constant threat to drivers.

"Just past the San Francisco clinic on the Carretera Central, you can't drive due to the massive potholes. God forbid an accident happens," commented a user on La Tijera's post.

"There was a loud crash at that time of night. Thank God there were no fatalities. Folks, this place is pitch dark every night because the streetlights are off. It's even darker during blackouts. What a danger! Cars from the 8 Vías road drive up and down here," another user remarked.

Ongoing Transportation Issues

As of now, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) has not released an official statement on the accident's cause, though initial reports suggest a possible failed maneuver during the crossing of the two vehicles. The collision likely caused the container to become unbalanced, leading to its partial overturning off the road.

This incident is part of a series of recent accidents involving heavy trucks and trailers in various Cuban provinces, highlighting the structural challenges facing the island's freight transportation system. Factors such as road deterioration, an aging vehicle fleet, and lack of technical maintenance exacerbate the risk of such occurrences.

In March, a cargo truck overturned in Sancti Spíritus without causing injuries, while in February, another trailer got stuck under a bridge in Santiago de Cuba due to a miscalculation of container height, a frequent issue on the island's roads. In January, a similar vehicle overturned on a bridge in Havana, and days earlier, a trailer carrying chicken crashed in Guanabacoa. Additional overturns were reported in Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, and Holguín, including a fatal incident in Loma de Rejondones.

These events, primarily documented by witnesses and social media groups, underscore the persistent structural problems in heavy cargo transportation and inadequate road maintenance, making Cuban highways frequent scenes of accidents.

Traffic Safety Concerns

Throughout 2025, traffic accidents in Cuba have claimed dozens of lives and injured hundreds. Official data indicate that over 60% of accidents are attributed to human error, while the remainder are due to poor road conditions or mechanical failures.

Despite the material damages, the accident did not completely halt traffic in the area, although delays were reported as cranes worked to remove the damaged vehicle.