On Monday, students were hastily evacuated from Ciudad Escolar Libertad in Marianao, Havana, following reports of a potential fire near the school complex. Various social media platforms have echoed the news, initially reported by Periódico Cubano. However, there has been no official statement regarding the cause or extent of the incident from the Cuban Government.
According to accounts from those present and shared online, parents were urgently summoned to pick up their children, and the area was cordoned off by the MINFAR and MININT forces. Witnesses informed La Tijera's platform that authorities are blocking access and prohibiting photography, while PCC leaders from Plaza and Marianao are on-site managing the situation.
Parents Left in the Dark
Parents reported receiving calls from the school, alerting them to the evacuation but providing no details on whether classes would resume the following day. Some speculate a potential fire caused by an explosion in nearby military storage facilities, raising concerns about the safety of underground tunnels, though none of this has been officially confirmed.
One mother shared that "the entire Ciudad Libertad was evacuated," while another mentioned the fear and unverified rumors about an explosion at the military unit’s ammunition depot. A father explained, "My child studies at Ciudad Libertad, and we were told to urgently collect them without explanation because even the teachers were unaware of what was happening. It's rumored to be a fire at the military unit, and the tunnels' risk prompted the evacuation."
Emergency Response and Historical Context
Independent media and activists have reported the presence of firefighters and police, along with the evacuation of students. Parents consulted online confirmed their children only managed to attend the first class of the day before being sent home. The cause of the fire or explosion, the specific area affected, and potential material damage remain unknown at this time.
Families and teachers are anxiously awaiting reliable information on the risks, damages, and when classes might resume. The situation is particularly alarming for Cubans, remembering an incident two years prior in the same Ciudad Libertad, where a nearby forest fire led to an explosion causing minor structural damage in the area.
This year, a similar tragedy happened in a military warehousing facility in Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality, Holguín province, where 13 people, including nine young military service members, tragically lost their lives.
Key Questions about the Ciudad Escolar Libertad Evacuation
What prompted the evacuation at Ciudad Escolar Libertad?
The evacuation was prompted by reports of a potential fire near the school complex, although the exact cause and extent have not been officially confirmed.
Have any official statements been released about the incident?
As of now, there have been no official statements from the Cuban Government regarding the incident's cause or magnitude.
What was the response from local authorities?
Local authorities have restricted the area, preventing access and photography, while overseeing the situation on-site.