An enormous flamboyant tree fell last Saturday in the bicycle parking lot of the train terminal in Ciego de Ávila province, resulting in one person being injured. The internet user known as Salamandra Ballester broadcasted the event live on Facebook, showcasing the damage caused by the tree's fall, which included a bicitaxi that took a direct hit.
"The bicitaxi driver was miraculously saved," Ballester said during the broadcast, which also revealed the extensive damage to the park area and the bicycles stored there. He added that another person sustained a back injury but was otherwise fine.
According to the user who posted the video, the tree fell due to recent rains in the region. "Full of termites," he commented upon observing the area where the tree had split.
Neglect in Tree Maintenance
As the rainy season begins, a prelude to the hurricane season, it's crucial to trim trees to prevent accidents. However, in Cuban cities, this task is rarely performed, leading to unfortunate incidents like this one, due to the regime's inaction.
A similar incident occurred in Havana's Parque de la Fraternidad, where two trees collapsed, injuring three people, including two minors. Another incident in the Cerro municipality of Havana saw a tree fall onto an almendrón (vintage American car) traveling on Pedro Pérez Street, resulting in the death of a 45-year-old man due to the impact. The victim was sitting in the passenger seat, and the driver was also injured.
Tree Safety and Maintenance in Cuba
The following questions and answers delve into the recurring issues of tree maintenance and safety in Cuba, especially during the rainy and hurricane seasons.
Why do trees often fall in Cuban cities?
Trees in Cuban cities often fall due to a lack of regular maintenance and trimming, especially as the rainy and hurricane seasons approach. The regime's inaction exacerbates this issue.
What was the cause of the tree collapse in Ciego de Ávila?
The tree collapse in Ciego de Ávila was attributed to recent rains, which weakened the tree, already infested with termites.
How can such incidents be prevented in the future?
Regular trimming and maintenance of trees, especially before the rainy and hurricane seasons, are essential to prevent such incidents. Increased attention and action from the authorities are also necessary.