Local sources reported on Thursday that two individuals are unaccounted for and are feared to have drowned following the rise of the Sagua de Tánamo River in the municipality of the same name, located in Holguín province.
The Facebook page "Bloguero Tanameño" announced the disappearance and presumed death of Luis Pérez Rodríguez and Antonio Angulo after the river overflowed on Wednesday.
Pérez was known for his work at the Directorate of Statistics and Information and had been employed at the Sagua de Tánamo post office for several years. Little is known about Angulo, except that he lived in El Jobo, as did Pérez.
The Moa Fire Department's Command 30 has been dispatched to the area to assist in the search for the missing individuals.
Reporter Loidel Gaínza also shared preliminary information regarding the incident, which suggests that both men may have drowned.
Commenters on the social media post speculated that the two men attempted to cross the river but went missing, with no sight of them so far.
Esther Lamoru, claiming to be a sister-in-law of one of the missing men, urged caution with the circulating information due to the uncertainty surrounding the events.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies, but we still don't know what happened to Luis. Let’s not jump to conclusions; this is not child's play. Let's wait (...). The rescue team is working to confirm the human loss. I am his sister-in-law, Celito's wife," she stated.
As of now, Holguín authorities have not confirmed the tragic incident.
Weather Concerns
The Weather Forecast Center of the Meteorological Institute (Insmet) has predicted cloudy skies with some showers, rain, and thunderstorms in the eastern part of the country for Thursday.
Meanwhile, they are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Melissa, which is gradually strengthening over the central Caribbean Sea and may develop into a hurricane within the next 48 hours.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), this tropical system could escalate into a major hurricane by the end of the weekend.
Melissa poses a "potential danger" to the island, warned Cuban meteorologists, and it is expected to bring storm surges and high waves to the eastern region in the coming days.
Key Facts About Sagua de Tánamo River Incident
Who are the missing individuals reported in Holguín?
The missing individuals are Luis Pérez Rodríguez, a former employee of the Directorate of Statistics and Information, and Antonio Angulo, a resident of El Jobo.
What actions are being taken to find the missing persons?
The Moa Fire Department's Command 30 is actively involved in the search efforts for the missing persons in the Sagua de Tánamo area.
What weather conditions are affecting eastern Cuba?
The eastern region of Cuba is experiencing cloudy skies, showers, rain, and thunderstorms, with further monitoring of Tropical Storm Melissa which may escalate into a hurricane.