An accident occurred early Tuesday in Santa Clara involving a truck and a Diana bus belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR). Fortunately, there were no fatalities, according to a witness at the scene.
The incident took place on Carretera a Maleza, near the Base Aérea Community and close to the Abel Santamaría International Airport. Raciel Brito, the Facebook user who reported the accident in the group "Accidents Buses & Trucks," noted that the truck driver—wearing a red shirt in one of the photos—claimed that the Diana bus driver veered into his lane to overtake a cart.
"People, let's not rush and respect traffic rules. Yesterday, I almost witnessed another accident involving a motorbike and a trailer, and both were at fault. Be cautious on the road; our families are waiting for us at home," Brito concluded.
In the two images shared on social media, police presence can be seen at the scene. In the comments section, several users echoed the calls for increased caution on the roads.
Also in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, on Sunday night, a car was destroyed after being hit by the Havana-Santiago train at a level crossing. Despite the severe damage to the Hyundai car, no casualties were reported, according to several users. The author of the post stated that only material damages occurred, with multiple people confirming that no one was injured in the collision.
In recent weeks, a variety of accidents have been reported across Cuba, many of them fatal. Last Saturday, two people lost their lives in a crash between a motorcycle and a rental car at kilometer 144 of the National Highway, near the municipality of Jagüey Grande in Matanzas.
Although the public perceives an increase in road accidents in recent months, Cuban authorities claimed that during the first half of 2024, there were 543 fewer incidents compared to the same period the previous year. In the official TV program Mesa Redonda, Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Organ of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), also reported 81 fewer fatalities (a 23% decrease) and a reduction of 151 injuries (a 5% decrease) from January to June compared to the same months in 2023.
Understanding Recent Traffic Incidents in Cuba
As road accidents continue to be a significant concern in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more insights into the situation.
What caused the recent accident in Santa Clara?
The accident was caused by a collision between a truck and a Diana bus from the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The truck driver claimed the bus veered into his lane to overtake a cart.
Were there any fatalities in the Santa Clara accident?
No, there were no fatalities reported in the Santa Clara accident.
Has there been an increase in road accidents in Cuba?
While the public perceives an increase, Cuban authorities reported a decrease in road accidents during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.