A truck allegedly loaded with chlorine tanks and a modern Gely brand car from the Prosecutor's Office collided this Tuesday near the town of Aguacate, between the municipalities of Contramaestre and Palma Soriano, in the province of Santiago de Cuba. It remains unclear if there were any injuries as a result of the crash.
A short video shared in the Facebook group Accidentes Buses & Camiones showed that the modern car suffered significant damage to its front. Several online users agreed that the wrecked car belonged to the Prosecutor's Office.
"That prosecutor's car was going at high speed. It seems the driver fell asleep, and the truck driver tried everything to avoid the collision, but the Gely kept heading towards the truck and hit its rear tires," commented someone familiar with the incident.
"What I heard is that it's a car loaded with chlorine tanks in the back that got hit," noted another young woman.
A third commentator described the scene as "regrettable," citing high speeds, poor road conditions, and driver negligence as a dangerously potent mix in similar situations.
"Besides the well-known recklessness of many drivers, I invite any photo editor to point out in the video any light posts or illumination means at the accident site," added another group user.
A witness passing through the area stated that as of 11 a.m., the vehicles were still at the site, and the inspectors had not yet arrived, although she noted that she did not see any blood in the area.
Recent Surge in Traffic Accidents in Cuba
In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in traffic accidents in Cuba, many of which have resulted in fatalities. Specifically, in Santiago de Cuba, several reports have noted multiple traffic incidents in the province.
Despite this, Cuban authorities claimed earlier this month that the first half of 2024 saw 543 fewer traffic accidents compared to the same period last year. Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Body of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), reported on the official television program Mesa Redonda that between January and June, there were 81 fewer deaths (a 23% decrease) and 151 fewer injuries (a 5% reduction) compared to the same months in 2023.
Understanding Traffic Accidents in Santiago de Cuba
To provide more insight into the recent traffic incidents in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What caused the collision between the truck and the prosecutor's car?
The collision was reportedly caused by the prosecutor's car traveling at high speed, possibly due to the driver falling asleep, which led to the car hitting the rear tires of the truck.
Were there any injuries reported in the accident?
It remains unclear if there were any injuries as a result of the crash. Witnesses did not report seeing any blood at the scene.
Has there been an increase in traffic accidents in Santiago de Cuba recently?
Yes, there has been a significant increase in traffic accidents in Santiago de Cuba in recent weeks, many of which have been fatal.
What measures are being taken to reduce traffic accidents in Cuba?
Authorities reported that in the first half of 2024, there were fewer traffic accidents, deaths, and injuries compared to the same period in 2023, suggesting that some measures may be having an effect.