On Saturday, Cuba's Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, reported significant damage to Santiago de Cuba's railway system following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Entire sections of the tracks were left hanging, with severe structural damage observed at numerous points along the central line.
In a Facebook update, the minister shared that the eastern province is experiencing "extensive damage in the sections of the railway that have been surveyed so far."
Among the most critical issues is the destruction of the embankment at kilometer 205.8 in Palma Soriano. Additionally, between kilometers 833 and 834.5, "both rails are suspended mid-air," leading to further complications.
The released photos reveal the disaster's scale: tracks dangling over open trenches, sections lacking foundational support, eroded bridges, and areas blanketed by branches and debris.
Some images capture residents and workers clearing fallen trees from the railway, while other sections remain entirely impassable.
The minister noted damages at the refinery near kilometer 0, affecting its railway infrastructure. Teams from the sector are "working diligently" to assess and initiate recovery efforts.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Transportation announced that all national and local passenger train services remain suspended throughout the eastern parts of the country, including Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Bayamo-Manzanillo, due to unsafe track conditions.
These railway cancellations are compounded by delays and suspensions in national bus services and flights across the eastern provinces, which are only beginning to partially resume operations.
Moreover, on November 2nd, the Majagua Railway Station confirmed that train departures from Santiago de Cuba to Havana and from Havana to Bayamo-Manzanillo remain canceled. The public will be kept informed regarding the resumption of these routes.
The images and reports point to an almost total collapse of the railway transport system in eastern Cuba as authorities continue to evaluate the damage and prioritize the recovery of the most severely affected sections in the wake of Melissa's passage.
Impact of Hurricane Melissa on Santiago de Cuba's Railway
What were the most critical damages to Santiago de Cuba's railway?
The most critical damages include the destruction of the embankment at kilometer 205.8 in Palma Soriano and sections between kilometers 833 and 834.5 where both rails are suspended in the air.
How is the Cuban government responding to the railway damages?
The Cuban government has deployed teams to assess and begin recovery work on the damaged railway sections. They are prioritizing the most severely affected areas to restore service as soon as possible.
Are there any transportation services available in eastern Cuba?
Currently, national and local passenger train services are suspended, and there are delays and suspensions in national bus services and flights. Some services are gradually resuming in a partial capacity.