The state of affairs at the military ammunition depot in Melones, located in the Rafael Freyre municipality of Holguín, remains precarious as explosions persist, hindering access to ground zero and complicating the search for those missing. This was reported by Lisandra Martín, a pro-government communicator, who took to her Facebook profile to provide a detailed update overlooked by outlets like Cubadebate and Granma.
Martín noted that as of 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the latest explosion occurred at 3 p.m. on January 8. She highlighted that thermal radiographic images showed temperatures exceeding 300 degrees Celsius at that time.
“At 4:00 p.m. today, families of the missing were informed that the chances of survival are nearly impossible. Experts warn of minimal survival prospects,” Martín reported. She emphasized that while “nothing can alleviate the anguish of these parents,” authorities are acting “with utmost respect, adhering to regulations with full sensitivity to the situation.”
She further mentioned that all necessary personnel and resources are prepared to proceed with necessary activities once access to the site is feasible. “The information I share is not restricted or confidential; it is known to the relevant authorities,” she concluded.
Government Response and Public Sentiment
Simultaneously, a report from the Television News and an article in Granma focused almost exclusively on the evacuation of residents in the area, omitting any mention of the missing individuals or progress in accessing the disaster site. “We must wait patiently until we can finish and recover from these events,” stated General of Division and Civil Defense President Ramón Pardo Guerra to the news, referring solely to the evacuees and not addressing the missing persons.
“The area remains unstable, maintaining vigilance while investigations continue,” concluded the televised report by journalist Iván Romero, who failed to mention the 13 missing individuals.
Community Concerns and Independent Reports
Recently, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) referred only to the Granma article. Meanwhile, in comments to independent outlet 14ymedio, local residents expressed grave concerns for the safety of the missing, including four military personnel and nine recruits.
“Explosions continued through the night, and we’ve been told they might persist for four days or more,” a Melones resident told the outlet on Wednesday. “My son served in that unit years ago, and his superiors never allowed him into the ammunition warehouses, saying they were outdated and hazardous for recruits,” the source added.
“My son says if it keeps exploding, with everything stored underground, Melones could be wiped off the map,” she concluded.
On social media, some family members have begun voicing frustration with how the authorities are handling the situation. Meanwhile, public outrage mounts across various forums over the national press's apparent indifference to the fate of potential victims.
Official Confirmation of Missing Personnel
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) confirmed on Wednesday that 13 individuals are missing due to the incident: two are majors, and two are second sub-officers; the remaining nine are identified as “soldiers.”
The missing soldiers are Leinier Jorge Sánchez Franco, Frank Antonio Hidalgo Almaguer, Liander José García Oliva, Yunior Hernández Rojas, Rayme Rojas Rojas, Carlos Alejandro Acosta Silva, Brian Lázaro Rojas Long, José Carlos Guerrero García, and Héctor Adrián Batista Zayas.
The missing military personnel are Majors Leonar Palma Matos and Carlos Carreño del Rio, along with Second Sub-officers Orlebanis Tamé Torres and Yoennis Pérez Durán.
Key Questions About the Holguín Military Warehouse Explosion
What caused the explosions at the Holguín military warehouse?
The exact cause of the explosions at the Holguín military warehouse has not been confirmed, but ongoing investigations are looking into the incident's origins and contributing factors.
Who are the missing persons in the Holguín explosion?
The missing individuals include four military personnel and nine recruits, identified by the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. Their names have been provided in official statements.
What is the current status of the search and rescue efforts?
Due to the ongoing explosions and high temperatures, access to the site has been limited, delaying search and rescue operations. Efforts are on hold until conditions stabilize.