A tragic incident unfolded last Wednesday as a man named Duley Basulto Gómez drowned while trying to cross a river in the municipality of Sagua de Tánamo, located in Holguín. His body was discovered three days later.
The Facebook page "Realities from Holguín," which is linked to the government, reported the unfortunate event on Sunday. It occurred on December 4th, around 8 a.m., when Basulto attempted to cross the river using the Zabala bridge in the El Jobo community.
Despite warnings from several community members urging him to turn back, Basulto was swept away by the strong current. A resident made a valiant effort to save him, but the river's swirling waters proved overpowering, as a source detailed to "Realities from Holguín."
Authorities were promptly alerted, and the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) of the municipality joined forces with Basulto's family, rescue workers from the Moa Fire Department Command 30, divers, a boat from the Pedro Sotto Alba company, and Red Cross volunteers to initiate an immediate search operation.
For three days, the rescue operation continued. However, on Saturday morning, residents of the Cayo Acosta neighborhood in the nearby Frank País municipality spotted Basulto's body floating and promptly notified the authorities. The body was retrieved and transported for burial in his local cemetery.
The incident has deeply saddened family, friends, and residents of the community where Basulto lived. This year alone has seen numerous drowning incidents across rivers, beaches, and reservoirs in various provinces.
Just a month ago, Minint officials discovered the body of a 24-year-old worker from the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas, floating in the sea near Playa del Inder. He had gone missing days earlier after leaving to fish. In another case, Enrique Tillán, a 53-year-old employee at the Renté thermoelectric plant, drowned at Siboney Beach in Santiago de Cuba at the end of September.
Key Questions About Drowning Incidents in Cuba
What measures are in place to prevent drowning incidents in Cuba?
Cuban authorities, including the Ministry of the Interior and rescue teams, work to enhance safety measures and conduct rescue operations. However, more preventive measures and public awareness campaigns are needed to reduce such incidents.
How are rescue operations conducted in remote areas like Sagua de Tánamo?
Rescue operations in remote areas involve coordination between local authorities, rescue teams, and volunteers. They utilize available resources such as boats and diving teams to conduct thorough searches.
What is the response time for rescue operations in Cuba?
Response times can vary depending on the location and resources available. In some cases, rescue operations are initiated immediately, but challenges such as accessibility and resource limitations can affect the speed of response.