Díaz-Canel on the Tragic Death of 13 Cubans in Holguín Explosion: "It Hurts Deeply"

The Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, conveyed his deep sorrow following the confirmation of 13 deaths among officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers due to an explosion at a military storage facility in Holguín. "It hurts deeply to confirm the loss of these comrades. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families and friends," Díaz-Canel stated on the social media platform X.

The Cuban government officially announced on Wednesday the deaths of the 13 missing individuals after the blast in the town of Melones, located in the Rafael Freyre municipality. According to a report from the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR), the likely cause of the incident was an electrical failure triggered by a short circuit within the facility.

Authorities have been unable to reach the exact location of the deceased due to the extreme conditions at the site. The presence of toxic gases, severe structural damages, and the threat of further collapses render the area completely inaccessible. Based on conducted analyses, it was concluded that there is no possibility of survival at the location. The ministerial commission established to investigate the incident informed the families about the final outcome and officially declared the deaths of the 13 individuals involved. Among the victims were four officers—two holding the rank of Major and two Second Sub-Officers—and nine soldiers, some of whom were nearing the end of their military service.

Public Outcry and Frustration

The government's handling of the accident has sparked outrage among the victims' families. Since last week, they have accused officials of negligence, lack of urgency in initiating rescue operations, and a failure to provide clear information regarding the investigation.

Joel Queipo Ruíz, the first secretary of the Party in Holguín, previously explained that the risk of additional explosions had prevented authorities from entering the affected area. He noted that specialized actions were being carried out in the surrounding zones as the situation was being assessed.

A Call for Reflection

This tragic event highlights the challenges Cuba faces in managing emergencies within military facilities, as well as the human toll of such tragedies. Meanwhile, Cubans and the affected families continue to grapple with the grief of a loss that many believe could have been handled with greater transparency and efficiency.