An explosion at the Four Roads Market in Havana sparked concern on Saturday afternoon, although fortunately, no casualties have been reported. The incident took place around 1:00 p.m. and is believed to have been triggered by the detonation of an underground transformer, which caused part of the market's portal flooring to lift, but there were no signs of fire in the area.
Following the explosion, there was a significant response from firefighters and police officers. Despite the presence of authorities, the Havana government has yet to release any official statements or clarifications about what happened, neither on their social media nor through any other public channels.
Infrastructure Neglect at a Key Commercial Site
The Four Roads Market, which was reopened with much fanfare in November 2019, stands as one of Cuba's major commercial centers. However, the lack of maintenance and aging infrastructure, issues that plague much of the island, could be factors contributing to this incident. On its reopening day in 2019, the market had to close due to chaos from an overwhelming influx of people, and it only reopened in January 2020 after supposed repairs and maintenance efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it faced multiple closures due to outbreaks among its staff.
Public Concern Amidst Uncertainty
Though the market no longer enjoys the robust supply of goods it once did, it remains a bustling hub due to its prime location, drawing large crowds regularly. This is why many were alarmed upon hearing about the explosion. So far, authorities have not reported any serious human or material damage at the scene.