One person lost their life in a massive accident that occurred on Friday night in the city of Guantánamo, located in eastern Cuba. This was reported by the state-run social media profile Miguel Noticias, which specified that "a person over 40 years old" had died in the incident, caused by a rental car for tourism with the license plate T033519.
"A tourist car swerved to avoid a bicycle, mounted the sidewalk where people were sitting, and crashed into infrastructure (post, benches) located at Martí and the Avenue, injuring all those seated there," reported the informant on Facebook.
The Avenida Camilo Cienfuegos in Guantánamo is one of the busiest streets, featuring a central promenade with trees, sculptures, and benches where locals often sit to cool off during summer nights and power outages.
According to Miguel Noticias, "several people were injured in the incident," but the exact number of victims was not specified. Some of them "suffer from eye injuries and orthopedic injuries (tibia fracture and hip fracture)."
"Unfortunately, a person over 40 years old passed away," said the state journalist Miguel Reyes Mendoza, known for his social media profile Miguel Noticias. The identity of the deceased was not disclosed in the report.
His post garnered several comments pointing out the darkness prevailing on the avenue and "the entire area." "These central streets need lighting, but with the 'deficit,' they want to save so much that they don't realize these things, for God's sake," one user commented.
"That's exactly right: Paseo, Ahogado, and the Avenue are very busy streets; they shouldn't turn off the public lighting. Those traffic lights turned off at night are a real horror," agreed another.
"I was with my family on the same bench that was hit, but on the other corner. We were saved from a tragedy by a few meters—my grandmother, a 13-year-old cousin, my girlfriend, and me. We were close to the two young men who were run over. The entire avenue was dark. It's one of the factors of the tragic accident," said a witness to the events.
In early August, a severe accident occurred at Loma Las Marianas in the Guantánamo municipality of San Antonio del Sur, injuring 23 people, including five children. The incident involved a tractor transporting all the personnel on the vehicle. The victims sustained injuries of varying severity.
In mid-May, a traffic accident in Guantánamo resulted in one person dead and another injured after a collision between an almendrón and a motorcycle in the same locality of San Antonio del Sur.
At the end of April, a fatal traffic accident in Guantánamo between a truck and a motorcycle resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. The deceased was identified as David Pileta and was a collector for the electric company.
Days earlier, an elderly man was injured in an accident between a motorbike and a bicycle in Guantánamo. The incident occurred at the intersection of Pedro A. Pérez and Varona streets, and the man was taken by ambulance to a medical center.
Key Questions About the Guantánamo Accident
This section addresses common questions and concerns related to the tragic accident in Guantánamo, providing detailed answers for clarity.
What caused the accident in Guantánamo?
The accident was caused by a rental car for tourism that swerved to avoid a bicycle, mounted the sidewalk, and crashed into infrastructure, injuring several people.
How many people were injured in the accident?
The exact number of injured people has not been specified, but several individuals sustained injuries, including eye injuries and fractures.
What were the comments from the community about the accident?
Community members highlighted the darkness in the area as a significant factor contributing to the accident, criticizing the lack of proper street lighting.
Have there been other recent accidents in Guantánamo?
Yes, there have been several recent accidents in Guantánamo, including incidents involving tractors, motorcycles, and trucks, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.