The identities of the four victims who perished in a severe traffic accident early Thursday morning in the province of Camagüey have been confirmed. However, this identification was made possible thanks to the efforts of independent media and information from the victims' families and acquaintances on social media. Despite the gravity of the incident, official local media have yet to comment.
The initial identification of Cliver Álvarez Tamayo (17 years old) and Dailenis Silva (19), reported by Cubanet, was followed by the identification of Milagros Hernández by Cubanos por el Mundo. CiberCuba has now confirmed that the fourth victim is Yamila Marín, known to her friends as "Yami," a resident of Camagüey and a friend of Milagros.
The accident occurred after the bridge of "Los Olivos" in El Carmen, near the exit from Santa Lucía beach, in an area known as “Las 80.” “It was a collision between two cars. One was leaving the beach and hit another that was parked on the opposite lane. I was told the driver had gone to urinate,” a source told Cubanos por el Mundo.
The crash resulted in the instant death of the only minor involved in the tragedy, Cliver Álvarez Mayo, and Dailenis Silva. The car leaving the beach, which collided with the parked vehicle, caught fire after the crash. According to reports, the two other victims, Milagros Hernández and Yamila Marín, were in the burning car and were killed in the back seat due to the fire.
In addition to the four fatalities, there are reportedly two seriously injured individuals and one with minor injuries, though this information has not been confirmed.
In recent hours, family members and friends of the victims have expressed their grief on social media over the magnitude of the unexpected tragedy, which has plunged several families into mourning. Traffic accidents of all kinds have been relentless on Cuban roads since the beginning of the year, continuing the troubling trend from 2023.
Recent Traffic Accidents in Cuba
Earlier this week, a woman suffered severe injuries when she was hit by a tourism vehicle while riding a bicycle on the Jiguaní-Baire highway in Granma. Last year, 729 people lost their lives in Cuba due to traffic accidents. Authorities recorded 8,556 traffic incidents that resulted in 5,938 injuries. Human error was cited as the cause in 91% of these cases, according to official statements.
Details on the Camagüey Accident
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the tragic traffic accident in Camagüey.
Who were the victims of the Camagüey accident?
The victims were Cliver Álvarez Tamayo (17), Dailenis Silva (19), Milagros Hernández, and Yamila Marín.
How did the accident occur?
The accident happened when a car leaving Santa Lucía beach collided with a parked car on the opposite lane. The driver of the moving car had stopped to urinate.
What were the immediate consequences of the collision?
The collision caused the immediate death of Cliver Álvarez Mayo and Dailenis Silva. The car caught fire, resulting in the deaths of Milagros Hernández and Yamila Marín in the back seat.
What has been the response from local media and authorities?
Despite the severity of the accident, official local media have yet to comment. Independent media and social media have been the primary sources of information.