A dramatic traffic accident on Sunday night led to a widespread power outage in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, plunging several neighborhoods into darkness and impacting over 10,000 residents. The crash involved a state-owned truck colliding with an electrical pole, which triggered an electrical fire at the Gran Panel substation. This incident resulted in a massive service interruption and an explosion that alarmed local residents.
The truck was carrying the driver and a minor at the time of the accident, both of whom sustained injuries, according to the Cuban News Agency (ACN). They were urgently transported to the "Juan B. Contreras" polyclinic for treatment by specialized medical staff, as confirmed by Armando Consuegra Sotolongo, the municipal Health Director.
No fatalities or severe injuries have been reported as a direct result of the accident, according to Jeily Manresa Sarduy, President of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power.
The Circumstances of the Accident
According to the official report, the crash occurred on Coronel Acebo Street, between Leoncio Vidal and Faustino Solís, when a truck from the Transport and Mechanization Services Company (TRAZMEC), bearing the license plate B-207710, violently struck an electrical pole. The impact not only knocked down the pole but also caused an incandescent arc of light at the town's electrical substation, visible from various parts of Ranchuelo.
Everest Morales Pérez, director of the local Electrical Company, explained that the crash caused a significant malfunction, taking circuits 188, 189, 89, and 97 offline and disrupting power supply in numerous city areas.
Impact on the Electrical System
Journalist Henry Omar Pérez, reporting from the scene, expanded on the list of affected circuits. His social media updates noted that the failures also impacted:
- Circuit 166 (Condado)
- Circuit 167 (Virginia)
- Circuit 168 (Condado–XX Aniversario)
- Circuit 170 (Rotonda–12 Plantas)
- Circuit 171 (Los Caneyes)
As is customary during any system collapse, the government initiated its "rapid response" rhetoric, deploying forces from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), Communist Party officials, and local authorities to the accident site. However, their presence did little to alter the recurring reality across Cuba: the public infrastructure is so fragile that any incident, even one stemming from human error, can deprive thousands of essential services for hours.
According to the latest updates from journalist Henry Omar Pérez, some circuits have been restored after several hours, although it remains unclear how many are still without power. There is also no confirmation regarding the condition of the truck involved, the driver’s status, or the specific causes of the accident, despite being a state-operated vehicle in an urban setting.
This latest blackout in Ranchuelo once again highlights the structural weaknesses of Cuba's electrical system and the constant collapse of public services. Beyond the immediate accident, it exposes a vulnerable energy network lacking maintenance or real investment, leaving a defenseless population to bear the brunt of an administrative model incapable of preventing, responding to, or transparently communicating about such crises.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Villa Clara Power Outage
What caused the power outage in Villa Clara?
The outage was caused by a truck accident involving a collision with an electrical pole, leading to a fire and explosion at the Gran Panel substation.
How many people were affected by the power outage?
The power outage impacted over 10,000 residents in various neighborhoods of Ranchuelo, Villa Clara.
Were there any injuries reported from the accident?
Yes, the truck driver and a minor were injured and taken to the "Juan B. Contreras" polyclinic for treatment, but no severe injuries or fatalities have been reported.