A potential tragedy was narrowly avoided on Thursday in Havana when a woman attempted to end her life by stepping onto the train tracks. Activist Irma Broek reported on Facebook that the train engineer managed to stop the locomotive just in time, preventing a fatal outcome.
The shared video captures the woman sitting on the tracks while a man, presumably the train conductor, tries to persuade her to move. She repeatedly refuses, saying, "I don't want to, I don't want to," to which he responds, "I have to pass." In the background, another woman suggests that they each take one of her arms to lift her off the tracks.
Niover Licea, known for his coverage of local incidents, reported that the event took place on the Luyanó railway line. The incident sparked numerous comments expressing compassion and solidarity for the woman involved.
"The misery, lack of freedom, and above all, the absence of hope lead people to make such decisions. The regime, with its characteristic secrecy, does not disclose suicide rates in Cuba, but they are undoubtedly high," commented a retiree.
A teacher highlighted "the lack of medications to manage depression" as a contributing factor. Meanwhile, a choreographer and dance instructor suggested, "Let's at least offer a national currency card to help her! We can all contribute, easing her burden. Today for her, and maybe one day for you or me."
Questions About Train Safety and Mental Health in Cuba
What steps did the train engineer take to prevent the accident in Havana?
The train engineer successfully halted the train just before reaching the woman on the tracks, thereby preventing a tragic incident.
What are some reasons cited for the woman's actions?
Commentators cited the widespread misery, lack of freedom, and especially the absence of hope as reasons for such drastic actions, along with the lack of medications for depression.
How did the community react to this incident?
The community responded with empathy and proposed solutions to help the woman, such as contributing financially to ease her burden.