On Monday, January 20, a devastating traffic accident occurred on the road linking Morón with Isla de Turiguanó in Ciego de Ávila province, resulting in six fatalities and 59 injuries. The crash involved two buses carrying workers from Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo and happened under low visibility conditions due to dense fog.
According to the Invasor Newspaper, the deceased include drivers Yuniester Oliva Artiles and Yohelvis Reino Veitia, both from Ciego de Ávila, and tourism workers Ezequiel Días Matos from Baraguá, Daniel Trujillo Rodríguez from Morón, Yaensy Conde Vega, and Javier Hernández Zamora, both from Ciro Redondo. Preliminary reports suggest human error as a likely cause of the accident, which took place just moments before the year's first meeting of the National Road Safety Commission, where the main causes of traffic accidents in the country are discussed.
Reactions and Condolences
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, extended his condolences to the affected families, stating, "This is a profoundly painful event because it involves the loss of human lives, leaving families forever changed by something that should not have happened." An in-depth investigation is underway to determine the exact causes of the accident.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero initially shared a message of sympathy via the social network X, which was later deleted due to possible inaccuracies in the reported number of fatalities.
Scene of the Accident and Community Assistance
Photos shared on social media depict the severe impact between the two buses, with one being completely destroyed at the front. Rescue teams and medical personnel are on-site, attending to the injured and recovering scattered belongings.
In response to the emergency, Morón's hospital has seen a surge of critically injured patients and their families. The local community has shown tremendous solidarity, turning out in numbers to donate blood for the injured.
Cuba's Road Safety Under Scrutiny
Despite official reports of a decline in traffic accidents for 2024, incidents like this underscore an urgent need to enhance road safety measures in Cuba. Vice Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca noted, "The start of this year has been marked by numerous mass accidents with fatal outcomes, demanding greater attention from all of society."
The people of Morón and the entire Ciego de Ávila province remain in shock, eagerly awaiting further updates from the authorities.
Cuban Traffic Accident Insights
What caused the Ciego de Ávila accident?
Preliminary reports suggest that human error might have been a contributing factor to the accident, which occurred under low visibility conditions due to fog.
Who were the victims of the accident?
The victims included drivers Yuniester Oliva Artiles and Yohelvis Reino Veitia, and tourism workers Ezequiel Días Matos, Daniel Trujillo Rodríguez, Yaensy Conde Vega, and Javier Hernández Zamora.
How did the local community respond?
The local community demonstrated great solidarity by donating blood for the injured, while rescue and medical teams worked at the scene to assist victims.
What actions are being taken following the accident?
An extensive investigation is being conducted to ascertain the exact causes of the accident, with calls for enhanced road safety measures across Cuba.