The funeral home in Santiago de Cuba woke up on Tuesday to a critical situation, with more than 29 deceased individuals being mourned by their families and friends. This has forced the workers to place coffins in the hallways of the facility, according to reports on social media.
"They have placed coffins in the hallways; they don't know where to put them, and more dead bodies keep coming in," a user reported to journalist Yosmany Mayeta, who alerted on Facebook that the funeral home had over 29 coffins on the premises as of Tuesday morning.
The person who made the report, also a family member of one of the deceased, explained, "They say there's no capacity at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery and they want to bury our loved ones in the municipalities."
Although the post does not provide any explanation for this tragic situation, the city of Santiago de Cuba is currently plagued by the circulation of two dengue serotypes and is also affected by the presence of the Oropouche virus.
A City Struggling with Multiple Crises
This chaotic scene adds to other troubling incidents that have occurred in Santiago de Cuba. In May, the central Garzón Avenue witnessed an unprecedented and distressing event: a coffin fell out of a funeral car and lay in the middle of a busy street.
The unfortunate incident, reported by journalist Mayeta on his Facebook profile, took place on Victoriano Garzón Avenue, in front of a children's daycare center and in a highly frequented area of the eastern city, just a few blocks from the PCC provincial headquarters and near the intersection marking kilometer 969 of the Central Highway.
Incredibly, it happened again. Just over a week ago, another coffin fell from a funeral car in Santiago de Cuba. This occurred on 4th Street in the Mariana de la Torre neighborhood, according to Mayeta, who published a video on his social media captured by a witness of the grim scene.
Frequent Questions About Santiago de Cuba's Funeral Home Crisis
To provide further clarity on the ongoing issues at the funeral home in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What is causing the overcrowding at the funeral home in Santiago de Cuba?
The city is currently experiencing a high death rate due to the circulation of two dengue serotypes and the presence of the Oropouche virus, leading to an overwhelming number of deceased individuals.
Why are coffins being placed in the hallways?
The funeral home has run out of capacity to store the bodies, forcing workers to place coffins in the hallways as more deceased individuals continue to arrive.
Is there an issue with burial capacity at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery?
Yes, there is a reported lack of capacity at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, prompting authorities to consider burying people in outlying municipalities.