The Union Cuba-Petroleum (CUPET) announced on Sunday that their teams are working diligently to recover oil spilled after a train collision in the Guayos area of Sancti Spíritus province. In a brief statement posted on Facebook, the company indicated that workers from the Sergio Soto Refinery are focused on retrieving part of the approximately 60,000 liters of Cuban crude that were stored in one of the freight train cars involved in the accident on Saturday morning.
Carlos Enríquez Díaz Bernal, the deputy director of the refinery located in Cabaiguán, explained to the Escambray weekly's digital edition that the extraction efforts are being targeted at the industry's tanker cars. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the incident, which included a vehicle transporting resources from the Mariel Special Development Zone to Camagüey and another traveling from Avila region deposits for further fuel processing.
Despite the severe collision and substantial economic losses, there were no reported casualties, according to a social media post by Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Cuba's Minister of Transport. Throughout 2024, train accidents have become a recurring issue in Cuba, highlighting the deterioration of infrastructure and the lack of safety at railroad crossings.
One of the more notable incidents involved the derailment of a passenger train in Matanzas on September 28, which halted traffic on the Central Line and left hundreds of people stranded at stations such as La Coubre in Havana. On the same day, another train derailed at kilometer 149.2 of the same line, affecting rail operations across the region.
Collisions between trains and vehicles have also contributed to this growing problem. On July 16, a train struck a Hyundai car in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, causing significant damage to the vehicle, although no injuries were reported. Similarly, on February 19, another train collided with a tourist car on the Vento line in Havana when the vehicle failed to obey a stop signal, a common occurrence at crossings on the island.
These incidents underscore the urgent need to enhance railway safety and improve signaling, as well as to undertake extensive maintenance of the tracks. The frequency of these accidents has sparked public criticism, with calls for measures to mitigate risks and prevent disruption of an essential service for mobility in the largest of the Antilles.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuba's Railway System
What caused the recent train accident in Sancti Spíritus?
The accident involved a collision between two freight trains, one transporting resources from the Mariel Special Development Zone to Camagüey and another from Avila region deposits. The exact causes are still under investigation.
How much oil was spilled in the Sancti Spíritus train collision?
Approximately 60,000 liters of Cuban crude oil were spilled during the train collision.
What are the main issues facing Cuba's railway system?
Cuba's railway system is plagued by deteriorating infrastructure, insufficient safety measures at crossings, and inadequate maintenance, leading to frequent accidents.