This Wednesday, the Enrique Estrada Firefighters Museum in Matanzas echoed with seventeen chimes, each representing a life lost in the devastating fire at the Supertanker Base. The solemn ceremony marked the fourth anniversary of the catastrophe that shook Cuba in August 2022.
Gathered at the remembrance event were the families of the deceased, members of the firefighting brigade, representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and officials from the Party and Government, alongside citizens determined to honor those who sacrificed everything.
Following the tolling of the bells, a moment of silence was observed, and floral tributes were laid. Later, family members and friends visited the San Carlos Borromeo Cemetery, the final resting place of the fallen heroes.
The Unyielding Valor of Firefighters
Ernesto Moreno Molina, Vice President of the Volunteer Firefighters in Matanzas, reflected, "The voluntary forces of the fire brigade mobilized from the start, with many sustaining injuries. They bravely stood on the front lines despite the perilous conditions."
The Girón Newspaper poignantly noted, "Four years after the Supertankers disaster, Matanzas still remembers those harrowing days. Any tribute seems small compared to the sacrifice of such precious lives."
Tributes in Varadero
The day before, the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport Fire Brigade Command 3, located in Varadero, paid homage to the seven members of their team who perished in the blaze.
The ceremony featured floral offerings in the Command 3 History Room—established at the request of the bereaved families—and introduced new exhibits and donated items. Yumurí TV covered the tribute, sharing a video of the proceedings.
The Victims of the Tragedy
The tragic fire resulted in 17 fatalities. The first victim officially identified was 60-year-old Juan Carlos Santana Garrido from Cienfuegos.
Elier Manuel Correa Aguilar, a 24-year-old fire truck captain at the Airport Command, succumbed to severe burns a few days later. The last to pass away was Omar Ravelo, a 63-year-old tanker driver, who died on October 2, 2022, at Havana's Calixto García Hospital.
Among the 14 individuals who went missing in the tank #51 explosion were Adriano Rodríguez Gutiérrez, Andy Mitchel Ramos Sotolongo, Areskys Quintero Orta, Diosdel Nazco Vargas, Fabián Naranjo Núñez, Leo Alejandro Doval Pérez de Prado, Luis Ángel Álvarez Leyva, Luis Raúl Aguilar Zamora, Michel Rodríguez Román, Osley Marante Guerra, Osmani Blasco Sosa, Pablo Ángel López Martell, Raciel Alonso Martínez, and Rolando Oviedo Sosa.
The intense heat of 1,000 to 2,000 degrees Celsius obliterated fingerprints, dental structures, and DNA, making absolute identification impossible. A total of 754 bone fragments, organized into 14 sets, were recovered. Four of the victims were conscripts of the Mandatory Military Service aged between 19 and 20.
The Fire's Origin
The blaze ignited on the afternoon of August 5, 2022, when a lightning strike hit tank #52 containing domestic crude oil within the industrial zone of Matanzas, which had a capacity of 26,200 cubic meters of fuel.
At five in the morning the following day, tank #51 exploded while firefighters and rescuers were actively working to prevent further spread. It was this second explosion that claimed the majority of lives. Ultimately, the inferno engulfed four tanks and was declared extinguished by August 12, 2022.
Insights into the Matanzas Fire Tragedy
What caused the Matanzas Supertanker Base fire?
The fire at the Matanzas Supertanker Base was sparked by a lightning strike on tank #52, which contained crude oil, on August 5, 2022.
How many people died in the Matanzas fire?
The devastating fire resulted in the loss of 17 lives.
What was the aftermath of the fire?
The fire destroyed four tanks and was declared extinguished by August 12, 2022, leaving behind a tragic loss of life and significant damage.