An unexpected collision occurred on Monday at approximately 1:00 PM at kilometer 64 of the Western Line, in the Candelaria municipality of Artemisa province. The Extra Train No. 47, traveling from Havana to Pinar del Río, collided with an ambulance at a level crossing.
The Cuban Railroad Union shared details on Facebook indicating that the incident took place at the entrance to the town of La Quebrada. The ambulance attempted to cross the tracks just before the train's arrival.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the ambulance experienced a mechanical failure, causing the engine to stall while positioned on the tracks. This left the vehicle immobilized, leading to its impact by locomotive 38269.
Departing promptly at 9:00 AM from the 19 de Noviembre station in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, the train was en route to Pinar del Río with three passenger cars.
Despite the material damage sustained by the ambulance, officials confirmed no injuries occurred. Neither passengers and crew aboard the train nor the ambulance personnel were harmed. Moreover, the locomotive, passenger cars, and railway infrastructure remained unaffected.
Local government authorities, representatives from the railway sector, and the Ministry of the Interior swiftly arrived at the scene. Their coordinated efforts ensured a quick restoration of train operations.
Thanks to the prompt response, the train resumed its journey by 3:05 PM, slightly over two hours after the collision.
The Cuban Railroad Union expressed regret for the incident and extended apologies to travelers for any inconvenience caused.
Key Details on the Artemisa Train Accident
What caused the collision between the train and ambulance?
Preliminary investigations indicate that a mechanical failure in the ambulance caused its engine to stall on the tracks, leading to the collision with the train.
Were there any injuries reported in the Artemisa train incident?
No injuries were reported among the train passengers, crew, or ambulance personnel.
How did the authorities respond to the accident?
Local authorities, railway sector representatives, and the Ministry of the Interior responded quickly, working together to restore train operations effectively.