The Ministry of the Interior released initial footage of a dramatic rescue operation carried out early Wednesday morning in El Cobre, located in Santiago de Cuba.
According to the regime's official statement, the mission successfully ensured the safety of several individuals despite challenging conditions.
The visuals, shared later, confirmed the safe evacuation of those impacted and documented their emotional reunion with the rescue teams.
This encounter happened along the Mina Pathway in El Cobre, where, in a calmer setting, survivors recounted their harrowing experience.
The operation involved units from the Fire Department and the Special Brigade, who coordinated the extraction point and ensured transport to a secure location, as stated in the official report.
Authorities did not immediately specify the number of individuals rescued or provide further details on their medical conditions, pending a full evaluation of the incident.
In the early hours of Wednesday, torrential rains and landslides created a critical situation in El Cobre, within Santiago de Cuba province.
Official reports and social media posts indicated that 17 individuals—including children and the elderly—were trapped following the collapse of a hillside in the Loma del Cimarrón area, which was severely affected by the sudden rise of the river running through the town.
Rescue and salvage teams from the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Defense had been working in the area since dawn, though their efforts were hampered by flooded terrain, landslides, and blocked access routes.
The Devastating Impact of Melissa
Catholic Church authorities confirmed on Wednesday the death of one person during the destructive passage of the hurricane through El Cobre.
Father Rogelio Dean Puerta, parish priest and rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre, Cuba's Patroness, reported that although the material damage was extensive, human life was largely preserved, with only one known fatality in the area, a person of advanced age.
The priest did not provide details about the deceased individual or the circumstances surrounding their death. As of now, authorities have not confirmed any fatalities resulting from the hurricane.
The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba echoed the information shared by Father Dean Puerta in an audio message, describing the bleak aftermath left by the powerful hurricane in El Cobre, where many families lost their homes and belongings.
The Archdiocese's statement expressed sorrow over the devastating scenes left in the eastern part of Cuba by Melissa's passage, particularly in the town of El Cobre, home to the nation's spiritual heart: the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, Cuba's Patroness.
Despite preventive measures, such as securing each stained glass window of the Shrine with "firmly anchored" aluminum structures, the force of the wind "exceeded all forecasts," causing significant damage to the temple.
Key Questions on the El Cobre Rescue
How many people were rescued in El Cobre?
The exact number of people rescued has not yet been specified by the authorities.
What were the main challenges faced during the rescue operations?
Rescue efforts were hindered by flooded terrain, landslides, and blocked access routes.
What was the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the region?
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive material damage, left numerous families homeless, and resulted in one confirmed fatality in the El Cobre area.