Fatal Consequence of Blackouts: Couple Suffocated by Generator Fumes in Pinar del Río

Amid the ongoing wave of extensive power outages in Cuba, another tragic incident has struck the province of Pinar del Río, further highlighting the everyday perils faced by its citizens.

A couple, known as Carmelo and Niurka, was discovered lifeless in their home located on Alameda Street, near the Secondary School 1200 and Los Padrinos store, after resorting to a generator to combat the lack of electricity.

The information surfaced on Facebook through a post by the page "Nio reportando un crimen," which included a neighbor's anonymous account of the tragedy.

Reportedly, the couple was celebrating Carmelo's return to work as a taxi driver, but their festivities were abruptly halted on Tuesday night when the power went out once more.

To tackle the darkness, they powered up a generator—a practice that has become commonplace across the nation due to blackouts lasting over 20 hours—but this step poses a lethal risk to families.

When they failed to make contact the following day, Carmelo's brother and a neighbor broke down the door around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, finding them unresponsive on their bed.

Initial assumptions suggest they succumbed to gas inhalation from the generator, though official confirmation awaits forensic analysis.

A Community Shattered by Preventable Loss

The neighborhood is left in shock. Friends and neighbors have expressed their sorrow over the loss of Carmelo and Niurka, and several acquaintances verified the incident's authenticity:

"I mourn this great loss for my friend Yaquelin and for her sister who passed away, who was also my friend," a woman shared.

Comments on the post portray a scene of fear, scarcity, and resignation, where generators—now essential for cooking, cooling, or preserving food—offer both a solution and a hazard.

One user warned about her neighbor's actions: "She has a very noisy generator that she doesn't connect properly and thinks it will affect me if she runs it... but she's also risking her life and her child's."

Another account recalled an incident in Guanabacoa where a couple was found unconscious due to poisoning but narrowly survived. "Generators should never be placed indoors due to gas emissions," the post emphasized.

Tragedies like these are not isolated: "Just yesterday marked three months since my neighbors faced the same fate—Niurka, Yoandry, and their little boy Pedritín, only 6 years old," another user noted.

Several users pointed out that families keep generators indoors to prevent theft.

This deadly dilemma reflects the reality in a nation where persistent blackouts force individuals to choose between risking equipment theft or compromising their lives.

"People know these generators shouldn't be inside, but they can't leave them outside due to theft... They're trapped," one person commented.

"If it weren't for these relentless blackouts, no one would be exposed to this type of death. The government is killing the people one way or another," another remarked, echoing widespread anger.

Even those without generators are affected: "Neighbors place theirs near my house, and it doesn't harm them, but it does me. The smell is overpowering; I'm asthmatic and can't sleep because of the gas," another sufferer complained.

The demise of Carmelo and Niurka once again underscores how the energy crisis compels people into desperate measures, leading to repeated tragedies, while blackouts continue to disrupt life throughout the country.

Critical Safety Warning

Never operate a combustion generator (diesel or gasoline) inside a home or enclosed area.

These devices emit carbon monoxide (CO), a highly toxic, colorless, and odorless gas that can cause suffocation in minutes.

Generators should be placed outside in a well-ventilated area, away from doors and windows, to prevent the build-up of lethal gases.