A portion of the roof from an old residential building's porch gave way this Saturday in the heart of Santa Isabel de las Lajas, a municipality in Cienfuegos province, as captured by videos shared on social media that documented the collapse.
The footage presents a troubling detail: several onlookers nearby appeared to be watching the structure just moments before it fell, almost as if they anticipated the collapse. This suggests that the building's deterioration was evident and likely known among the local residents.
In the videos, the street appears wet, hinting that it was either raining or had rained shortly before the incident. This condition may have hastened the collapse of an already weakened structure.
After the collapse, debris—consisting of bricks, wood, and tiles—littered the sidewalk in front of a colonial-style building showing clear structural damage.
Bernardo Madrazo Hernández provided preliminary information stating that "no human casualties have been reported."
"So far, the exact causes of the collapse and the full extent of the material damages have not been officially confirmed," Madrazo Hernández added in his post.
Housing Crisis Intensifies in Cuba
This incident is part of a broader housing crisis plaguing Cuba, where approximately 35% of the country's housing stock is in poor or critical condition, with a housing deficit exceeding 929,000 units.
The porches of older homes—structures featuring columns and overhanging roofs—are particularly prone to collapsing when rain saturates materials that have been weakened by decades of neglect.
This pattern is seen throughout the island. In September 2026, two elderly individuals perished in Havana when their home's porch collapsed. The same month, heavy rains in the capital led to 26 total collapses and 122 partial ones.
Widespread Structural Failures in Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos province is not immune to these issues. In June, a gas explosion in Rodas led to the collapse of three homes and damage to 16 others. The same month, a fire destroyed the Ranchón in Santa Isabel de las Lajas.
Cuban officials estimate that Havana alone experiences around 1,000 collapses annually, highlighting the scale of a crisis that, as shown by the Lajas incident, affects municipalities across the country, not just the capital.
The 2025 state housing construction plan achieved only 22% of its target—2,382 units completed out of 10,795 planned—which exacerbates a deficit that the rains turn repeatedly into foreseen tragedies.
FAQs on Cuba's Housing Crisis
What caused the building collapse in Lajas?
The exact cause of the collapse has not been officially confirmed, but wet conditions and existing structural weaknesses likely contributed.
How severe is the housing crisis in Cuba?
Cuba faces a severe housing crisis, with around 35% of its housing in poor condition and a deficit of over 929,000 units.
How frequently do building collapses occur in Cuba?
In Havana alone, approximately 1,000 building collapses are reported annually, reflecting the widespread nature of the issue.