The cousin of one of the nine young recruits missing following a series of explosions caused by a fire at a military warehouse in the village of Melones, Holguín, has taken to the internet to plead for prayers for the young man. Yilena Roche Arcaya, a mother, shared a photo on the Facebook group "Revolico Antilla" with her cousin Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco.
"Please, I ask everyone to pray and help me ask God for my cousin Leinier Sánchez Franco, who is among the young people missing in the explosion," she implored. "Dear God, I ask you. Help me, Father, that he appears alive," she added.
Hundreds were moved by the post, commenting on the youth of the boy, who is just a teenager. "God, he is just a child. May God help that family; he is their only son. May God assist this family and the others in the same situation," wrote user Iván Guzmán. "He is from Antilla," noted Idania Camacho Aguilera.
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) confirmed that 13 people are missing due to the early Tuesday morning explosions at an armament and ammunition warehouse in the community of Melones, Rafael Freyre municipality. Among those identified by MINFAR are four officers—two Majors and two Second Lieutenants—and nine soldiers, including young Leinier Sánchez Franco.
While the official statement did not specify, many on social media agree that the nine soldiers are young men fulfilling mandatory military service, which has fueled growing outrage among Cubans.
On Wednesday, local authorities issued a solidarity message to the victims' families, urging them to keep "hope alive" amidst the distress and uncertainty. "We understand the immense burden of not knowing the whereabouts of loved ones, and we want you to know that our thoughts and hopes are with you," the statement read.
The communiqué emphasized the importance of mutual support and collective strength in challenging times. However, consistent with the usual secrecy in official communications, it avoided providing details about the missing individuals or progress in accessing the explosion site.
Key Information About the Holguín Explosion
What caused the explosion in Holguín?
The explosion was caused by a fire at a military warehouse storing armaments and munitions.
How many people are reported missing?
There are 13 individuals reported missing following the explosion.
Who is Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco?
Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco is one of the young recruits missing after the explosion and is related to Yilena Roche Arcaya.