Explosion at Cuban Military Warehouse Forces Evacuation of Over 1,200 in Holguín

In the town of Melones, located in Rafael Freyre municipality, Holguín province, over 1,200 individuals were forced to leave their homes this Tuesday due to a series of explosions at a military warehouse. The facility, under the control of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR), experienced detonations following a fire outbreak, as reported via their social media channels.

The MINFAR issued a statement on Facebook, which was further elaborated on national television, explaining that the blasts occurred in a section where aged ammunition was sorted. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more explosions in the coming hours.

As a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, 1,245 nearby residents from the La Púa Popular Council in Gibara have been relocated. A commission has been established to investigate the root causes of the incident.

Despite official claims that the incident poses "no threat to the community," the scale of the evacuation and nature of the disaster have sparked concern among local residents, particularly given the history of similar incidents at Cuban military sites.

Community Concerns and Historical Context

This is not the first time explosions at military warehouses have impacted nearby communities in Cuba. In 2020, a comparable incident at another military site in Holguín necessitated the evacuation of over 1,200 people and caused material damage to nearby homes. Those explosions, also triggered by a fire, scattered projectiles in the vicinity, causing alarm among the populace.

The latest event once again raises questions about the safety protocols at Cuban military storage facilities, especially those dealing with outdated munitions or explosives in extreme weather conditions. As investigations proceed, residents of Melones and surrounding areas remain on edge, awaiting more detailed information about potential risks and steps being taken to prevent future catastrophes.