An incident involving a freight train and a transport truck occurred on Monday afternoon at the Colón railroad crossing, situated near the José Martí Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Sancti Spíritus. According to preliminary reports from the official newspaper Escambray, which cited Isbel Reina Abreu, the first secretary of the Communist Party in the municipality, the collision resulted in minor material damage with no reported injuries among the workers involved.
The scene's images reveal the truck struck alongside the locomotive, numbered 50902. Other photos display the vehicle with its structure tilted due to the impact, as personnel from Apicuba and bystanders assess the damage. Additionally, several nearby trees were damaged in the accident, though further details have not been provided.
Recurring Rail Incidents Highlight Infrastructure Issues
Throughout 2024, Cuba has faced a series of railway accidents that underscore the country's deteriorating infrastructure and lack of safety at railroad crossings. One of the most severe incidents took place on December 7, when two freight trains collided at the Guayos Overpass in the Cabaiguán municipality, Sancti Spíritus. This crash caused a spill of approximately 60,000 liters of crude oil, leading to an environmental disaster in the area. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries, but the material damages were significant.
Another notable accident occurred on September 28, when a passenger train derailed in Matanzas, disrupting traffic on the Central Line and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at stations such as La Coubre in Havana. In April, a train transporting crude oil to the Sergio Soto refinery in Cabaiguán derailed near Siguaney, also in Sancti Spíritus. Initially, it was reported that there was no spill, but it was later confirmed that between 200 and 250 liters of crude leaked, raising concerns about potential environmental contamination.
Frequent Collisions at Railway Crossings
Throughout the year, there have been several collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossings. On July 16, a train struck a Hyundai car in Santa Clara, causing significant damage to the vehicle, although no injuries were reported. Similarly, in February, a train collided with a tourist car on the Vento line in Havana because the vehicle failed to stop at a signal.
Understanding Cuba's Rail Safety Challenges
What caused the freight train and truck collision in Sancti Spíritus?
The collision at the Colón railroad crossing resulted in minor material damage, with no injuries reported. Specific causes have not been detailed in the preliminary report.
How has Cuba's rail infrastructure affected safety?
Cuba's aging rail infrastructure and lack of safety measures at crossings have led to numerous accidents, including collisions and derailments, highlighting significant safety concerns.
What environmental impacts have resulted from recent train accidents in Cuba?
A notable environmental impact occurred when a collision caused a spill of around 60,000 liters of crude oil, creating an environmental disaster in the area.