An early morning traffic collision on Saturday in Santiago de Cuba involved a truck and a bus from the National Bus Company traveling the Cienfuegos–Guantánamo route. This incident was reported by witnesses and local journalists on social media.
According to a post in the Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES por más experiencia y menos víctimas!", user Pedro Domínguez mentioned the crash occurred 5 to 10 kilometers before reaching the San Luis junction, around 4:00 am.
Domínguez clarified that the Yutong bus driver was not at fault. His account indicates that the truck driver, operating a BAW vehicle, fell asleep at the wheel and collided directly with the bus.
The aftermath images reveal the front of the truck was completely wrecked, missing the driver's side door, while the bus ended up off the road without any apparent significant damage.
Despite the severity of the crash, no fatalities have been reported thus far. However, the truck driver did sustain serious injuries and was taken to a hospital in Santiago de Cuba, where he remains under medical care.
The driver is suffering from three liver injuries, internal bleeding related to those injuries, and a severely damaged knee.
The extent of the vehicle's destruction led several online users to express astonishment over the driver's survival. "Given the extent of the damage, it's a miracle," commented one user.
Later, journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared a video on Facebook filmed from a vehicle passing the crash site. The footage shows the involved bus and truck, another Yutong bus, police officers, and several individuals with packages, likely passengers from the bus awaiting assistance.
In the comments, users highlighted the working and rest conditions for interprovincial transport drivers. A Santiago de Cuba resident shared her experience traveling in a bus that departed at 4:00 pm and arrived at 9:00 am the next day, only to return that same afternoon. "These drivers can't rest for even four hours because the journey is long and exhausting," she remarked.
Another resident from Palma Soriano noted that when he passed by around 8:15 am, the wrecked vehicles and police presence were still apparent.
Comments also pointed to the hazardous stretch between San Luis and Palma Soriano, especially in December when accidents are historically more frequent. "May God protect and bless that stretch," one user wrote.
A journalist in the discussion summarized the collective concern by highlighting that the human body collapses without sufficient rest, and this is compounded by frequent traffic law violations, making such accidents preventable tragedies.
This incident underscores the dangers of driver fatigue and the harsh conditions of road travel in eastern Cuba, particularly during early morning hours and peak travel periods.
Key Concerns About Road Safety in Eastern Cuba
What caused the accident in Santiago de Cuba?
The accident was caused by the truck driver falling asleep at the wheel, leading to a direct collision with the Yutong bus.
Were there any fatalities reported from the crash?
No fatalities have been reported; however, the truck driver sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.
What are the main concerns raised by the public regarding this incident?
The public raised concerns about driver fatigue, inadequate rest periods for drivers, and the dangerous road conditions, especially between San Luis and Palma Soriano.