Catholic Church Confirms Fatality in El Cobre Due to Hurricane Melissa

The Catholic Church authorities announced on Wednesday that one person has died as a result of the destructive passage of Hurricane Melissa through El Cobre, located in Santiago de Cuba province.

Father Rogelio Dean Puerta, the parish priest and rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba's Patroness, stated, “Despite the extensive material damage, lives have largely been spared, with only one known fatality in the area—an elderly individual."

The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba shared the information via an audio message from Father Dean Puerta, who painted a grim picture of the devastation left by the powerful hurricane in El Cobre. According to him, most families have lost their homes and belongings.

The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their death were not disclosed by the priest.

Father Dean Puerta recounted the "tension, pain, and worry" experienced during the night as the hurricane's immense force swept through the area. “Our elders here in El Cobre say they've never witnessed anything like this. It has literally leveled the town,” he remarked.

Although preventive measures were taken, such as securing each stained glass window of the Shrine with "firmly embedded" aluminum structures, the note from the Archdiocese indicated that the wind’s strength "exceeded all expectations," resulting in significant damage to the temple.

“The hurricane toppled masonry structures, damaged some stained glass windows, and water infiltrated certain areas of the sanctuary,” described Dean Puerta.

News still unfolding...